
hi isoo m 



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Book.'. 



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Gop}Tig]it}s^°. 



COPMRIGHT DEPOSm 



VETERINARY POST- 
MORTEM TECHNIC 



BY 



WALTER J. CROCKER, B.SA., V.M.D. 

PROFESSOB OF VETERINARY PATHOLOGY, SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, 
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA 



WITH U2 ILLUSTRATIONS 




PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON 
J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 






COPYRIGHT, I918, BT J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 



Eledrotyped and Printed by J. B. LippincoU Company 
The Washington Square Press, Philadelphia, U. S. A. 



MAR 14 (9i8 



©aA 4 9:256 6 
/wo ( 



RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 
TO 

KARL F. MEYER 

PROFESSOR OF TROPICAL MEDICINE, UNI- 
VERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MEDICAL SCHOOL 
AND THE GEORGE WILLIAMS HOOPER 
FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH 



PREFACE 

The scientific study of jjathology without proper post- 
mortem technic is impossible. Before a pathologic lesion 
can be studied it must be brought to light. To avoid the 
oversight of some obscure though important disease process 
an exact and painstaking system of technic must be de- 
veloped. Technic is, in fact, the foundation of the science 
of patholog}^ and therefore demands deep study and much 
actual practice. 

This book is written in an endeavor to fill a gap in the 
American veterinary literature which has long been felt by 
the writer in teaching post-mortem pathology. It is with 
the earnest hope that it may help those who do make post- 
mortem examinations, encourage those who should but do 
not perform autopsies, and that it may facilitate the inclu- 
sion of the subject post-mortem pathology in the cun'iculi 
of other schools of veterinary medicine. 

The illustrations of technical methods in the text were 
prepared from original photographs of fresh specimens 
instead of line drawings. Good photographs more forcibly 
portray to the student mind the reality of the subject, and 
establish a closer personal association with the actual work. 
They provide an unexaggerated object for the student to 
attain to, and an encouraging stimulus to his best efforts. 

I wish to express my appreciation to Doctors William 



vi PREFACE 

Koch, E. A. Benbrook, C. C. Whitney, Herbert Lienhart, 
H. ISl. Martin, and ]Mr. Albert Herbert for their assistance 
in preparing the photographs, and to Doctors John Reichel, 
Fred Bourner, and C. S. Rockwell, and J. B. Lippincott 
Company for material used in illustrating the technic on 
cattle and hogs. 

Walter J. Crockee 

PlIILADELPHIA, PA. 

l^eceniber, 1917 



CONTENTS 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. General Considerations 1 

Definition, Complete Autopsy, Incomplete Autopsy, Object, 
Authority, Time, Date, Light and Weather, Place, Clinical 
History, Destruction of Animal, Description of Cadaver, Wit- 
nesses, Dress, Care of Instruments, Care of Hands, Notes, Speci- 
mens for Laboratory Examination, Express Companies' Regula- 
tions, Mailing and Parcel Post Regulations, Diseased Tissues in 
the Mails, Milk or Urine. 

II. Autopsy Room 18 

Room, Large Table, Small Table, Instrument Table, Instrument 
Case, Desk, Tub, Basin, Shelves, Water Pipes, Sterilizer, Scales, 
Vise, Platforms, Refuse Cans. 

III. Post-mortem Instruments 22 

Virchow's Post-mortem and Cartilage Knives, Little's Case Knife, 
Pick's Myelotone, Virchow's Brain Knife, Dissecting Scalpels, 
Incising Knives, Scissors, Costotome, Cartilage Shears, Bone 
Shears, Saws, Leur's Double-saw Rachiotome, Rule, Ax, Chisels, 
Brunetti's Rachiotome, Dexler's Rachiotome, Side Chisel, Cross 
Chisel, Curved Bone Chisel, Hammer Hook, Rib Hook, Steel, 
Forceps, Pinchers, Graduates, Mallet, Pipettes, Cup. 

IV. External Examination 45 

Signa Mortis, Apparent Death, Algor Mortis, The Eye After 
Death, Cadaveric Lividity, Rigor Mortis, Appearance of Post- 
mortem Decomposition, Visible Mucous Membranes, Natural 
Openings, Extremities, Skin. 

V. Internal Examination of the Horse 52 

Position, Skin, Operative Technic for the Head, Neck and Back' 
Thyroid Glands, Jugular Furrow and Structures, Parotid and 
Submaxillary Lymph and Salivary Glands, Left Mandible, 
Guttural Pouches, Tongue, Larynx, Trachea and (Esophagus, 
Decapitation, Preparation of the Head, Extirpation of the Brain, 
Sinuses, Nasal Passages and Septum, Teeth, Ear, Eye, Removal 
of Spinal Cord, Peripheral Nerves; Operative Technic for the 
Thoracic and Abdominal Cavities: Front Leg, Hind Leg, 
Xiphoid-pubic Incision, Pubic-lumbar Incision, Vacuity of the 
Thorax, Ribs, Omentum, Single Colon, Ligations, Small Intes- 



viii CONTENTS 

tines, Epiploic Foramen, Bile-duct, Spleen, Left Kidney, Left 
Adrenal, Duodenum, Double Colon and Caecum, Right Adrenal, 
Right Kidney, Stomach, Liver, Pancreas, Pericardial Sac and 
Fluid, Heart and Lungs, Blood-vessels, Pleura and Peritoneum, 
Lymph-glands, Psoas Muscles, Ovaries and Uterus, Summary; 
Operative Technic for the Pelvic Cavity : Preparation, Mammary 
Gland or Penis, Pelvic Organs, Summary; Operative Technic for 
Leg and Foot: Muscles, Popliteal Lymph-gland, Stifle Joint, Tibio- 
tarsal Joint, Scapulohumeral Joint, Axillary Lymph-gland, Carpal 
Joint, Tendons, etc.. Frog, Sole, Wall, Phalangeal and Navicular 
Joints, Summary; Operative Technic for the Musculature, Bones, 
and Joints: Musculature, Bones, Bones of the Legs, Os Innomi- 
natum, Ribs, Bones of the Head, Phalanges, Joints, Summary. 

VL Internal Examination of Ruminants 117 

Skin and Position, Operative Technic for the Head, Neck and 
Back: Thyroid Glands, Parotid SaUvary and Subparotid Lymph- 
glands, Submaxillary Lymph- and Salivary-glands, Right Ramus 
of Mandible, Tonsils, Retropharyngeal Lymph-glands, Jugular 
Furrow and Structures, Ljoriph-glands (Cow), Tongue, Larynx, 
Trachea, and ffisophagus. Decapitation, Preparation of the Head, 
Extirpation of the Brain, Nasal Passages, Eye, Ear, etc.; Opera- 
tive Technic for Thoracic and Abdominal Cavities: Front Leg, 
Hind Leg, Mammary Gland or Penis, Xiphoid-pubic Incision, 
Pubic-lumbar Incision, Vacuity of the Thorax, Ribs, Omentum, 
Intestines, Kidneys and Adrenals, Stomachs and Spleen, Liver 
and Gall-bladder, Pancreas, Pericardial Sac and Fluid, Heart 
and Lungs, Blood-vessels, Pleura and Peritoneum, Lymph-glands; 
Operative Technic for the Pelvic Cavity: Preparation, Organs, 
Operative Technic for the Leg, Foot, Muscles, Bones and Joints. 

VII. Internal Examination of Swine 135 

Dorsal Position, Operative Technic for the Head, Neck and Back, 
Operative Technic for the Thoracic and Abdominal Cavities: 
Intestines, Duodenum and Bile-duct, Spleen, Stomach, Liver, 
Kidneys, Heart and Lungs; Operative Technic for the Pelvic 
Cavity, Left Side Position. 

VIII. Internal Examination of the Dog and Cat 142 

Position, Skin, Operative Technic for the Abdominal Cavity: 
Omentum and Intestines, Bile-duct, Stomach, Spleen and Pan- 
creas, Liver, Kidneys and Adrenals; Operative Technic for the 
Pelvic Cavity. Operative Technic for the Thoracic Cavitj^: 
Sternum, Heart and Lungs; Operative Technic for the Head, 
Neck and Back: Thyroid Glands, Tongue, Tonsils, Larynx, 
Trachea and (Esophagus, Nasal Passages, Brain and Cord. 



CONTENTS ix 

IX. Internal Examination of the Mouse, Guinea-pig, Rabbit, 

Fowl and Elephant 152 

Operative Technic for the Mouse, Guinea-pig and Rabbit, Oper- 
ative Technic for the Fowl, Operative Technic for the Elephant. 

X. Technic and Description of Organs 161 

Tongue, Larynx, Trachea, CEsophagus and Tonsils, Thyroid and 
Parathyroid Glands, CEsophagus (Thoracic Portion), Bronchi, 
Lungs, and Adjacent Lj^mph-glands, Pericardium and Pericardial 
Fluid, Heart, Brief Descriptive Table of Normal Heart, Spleen, 
Brief Descriptive Table of Normal Spleen, Stomach, Brief 
Descriptive Table of Normal Stomach, Intestines of the Horse, 
Brief Descriptive Table of Normal Intestines of the Horse, Intes- 
tines of Ruminants, Brief Descriptive Table of Normal Intestines 
of Ruminants, Intestines of Swine, Brief Descriptive Table of 
Intestines of Swine, Intestines of the Dog and Cat, Brief De- 
scriptive Table of Normal Intestines of the Dog, Liver, Brief 
Descriptive Table of Normal Liver, Pancreas, Brief Descriptive 
Table of Normal Pancreas, Kidney, Brief Descriptive Table of 
Normal Kidney, Adrenals, Brief Descriptive Table of Normal 
Adrenals, Vagina, Uterus, Ovaries and Urinary Bladder, Brief 
Descriptive Table of the Normal Uterus, Brief Descriptive Table 
of Normal Ovaries, Udder of the Cow, Penis, Seminal Vesicles, 
Cowper's and Prostate Glands, Urinary Bladder and Testicles, 
Brief Descriptive Table of Normal Testicles, Brain and Meninges, 
Table of Absolute, Relative and Percentage Weights of Normal 
Brains, Spinal Cord and Meninges, Eye, Ear. 

XI. Post-mortem Protocol and Report '. . 214 

Definition, Pre-autopsy Data, External Examination, Internal 
Examination, Pathologic-Anatomical Diagnosis, Epicrisis, Ad- 
vantage of Construction, Suggestions on Protocol, Outline for 
Post-mortem Protocol, Literature Used, Appendix, Index. 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

FIG. PAGE 

1. White coat, rubber sleeves, apron and boots. Rubber gown and boots 8 

2. Post-mortem room 19 

3. Virchow's post-mortem knife for general autopsy work on large animals 23 

4. Large cartilage knife used in severing asternal cartilages of small animals 

when removing sternum 23 

5. (A) Butcher knife w^th cutting edge in direct line with the handle. ... 23 
(B) Pith. Very useful for destroying large animals 23 

6. Improper and proper ways of holding large knife in doing autopsy work 24 

7. Little's case knife for general autopsy work on small animals 25 

8. Pick's myelotome 25 

9. Virchow's brain knife 26 

10. Dissecting scalpel 26 

11. Groove director 26 

12. Incising knives 26 

13. Monosmith's enucleation knife for removing the eye 27 

14. Spearhead needle and probe used in technic on eye and ear 27 

15. Harpoon needle for removing the optic lens 27 

16. Tyrrell's blunt and sharp hooks 27 

17. Steel 27 

18. Raspatory for scraping soft tissue from bones 27 

19. Championniere's bone chisel . 27 

20. Esmarch's boue chisel 28 

21. McEwen's bone chisel 28 

22. Brick chisels, much reduced 28 

23. Rachiotomy chisel for cutting cranial bones 28 

24. Rachiotomy chisel for cutting nasal bones 28 

25. Cross chisel and proper position for use of the chisel end 29 

26. Dexler's rachiotome (Schmey) 29 

27. Brunetti's left curved rachiotome 30 

28. Brunetti's right curved rachiotome 30 

29. Side chisel 31 

30. Post-mortem ax 31 

31. Steel hammer hook 32 

32. Rib hook 32 

33. Metal-bound wood mallet 32 

34. Rawhide mallet 33- 

35. Iron pinchers 33 

36. Costotomes 33 

xi 



xii ILLUSTRATIONS 

37. Bone-cutting forceps 34 

38. Cartilage shears 35 

39. Enterotome showing one bhint point which is longer than the other. ... 35 

40. Small scissors which have one point blunt 35 

41. Small scissors with straight and curved blades 36 

42. Artery scissors 37 

43. Straight forceps 38 

44 Rat-tooth forceps 38 

45. Curved forceps 39 

46. Dura and haemostatic forceps 39 

47. Tumor forceps 40 

48. Bone-holding forceps 40 

49. Carpenter's saw 40 

50. Frame saw 41 

51. Small frame saw 41 

52. Charriere's blade saw 42 

53. Langenbeck's blade saw 42 

54. Kelly's skull saw 42 

55. Single blade rachiotomy saw 42 

56. Leur's double blade rachiotomy saw 43 

57. Folding steel rule 43 

58. Needles used in making cosmetic post-mortems 43 

59. Magnifying glass 44 

60. Proper position of the horse for autopsy 53 

61. Left front and hind leg removed with the skin 55 

62. Line of incision on border of left ramus of mandible 58 

63. Left front and hind legs removed 60 

64. Left ramus of mandible removed and jugular furrow laid open 61 

65. Incision to be made in exposing a tooth, nasal sinuses, turbinated bones, 

nasal septum and brain 63 

66. Removal of the calvarium with the hammer-hook 64 

67. Brain exposed after removal of calvarium 65 

68. Brain removed 66 

69. Longitudinal incision through the head after removal of the brain 67 

70. Left half of spine chipped away with a post-mortem hatchet, exposing 

spinal cord 69 

71. Left hind leg removed 73 

72. Insertion of first two fingers of left hand in abdomen 74 

73. Proper position of hands and knife in beginning the xiphoid-pubic incision 75 

74. Proper manner of holding knife when making pubic-lumbar incision. ... 77 

75. Xiphoid-pubic incision completed. Pubic-lumbar incision half completed 78 

76. Left hind leg taken off. Xiphoid-pubic and pubic-lumbar incisions com- 

pleted 79 

77. Left abdominal flap turned up over ribs 81 

78. Preparation of the back for dorsal rib incision in ablation of left side. . . 84 



ILLUSTRATIONS xiii 

79. After completion of ventral and dorsal rib-incisions left side is elevated 
and the diaphragm incised close to the ribs and the side treed 85 

80. Tongue, larynx, trachea and oesophagus ablated, right and left vagus, 

cartoid artery and jugular vein exposed 87 

81. Small intestines arranged at the end of their mesentery upon the colon 

and cffcum. Proper method of holding small intestines and knife in 
separating the intestine from its mesentery 89 

82. Left hand grasping mesenteric vessels at point of attachment to the 

double colon and csecum 93 

83. Occipito-atloidal articulation opened. Pericardium exposed for incision. 

Single colon, small intestine, double colon, caecum, stomach, duodenum, 
spleen, kidneys and adrenals extirpated. Pelvic organs ablated without 
removing part of pelvis. Psoa's muscles are incised vertically, muscles 
of the hind leg cut in parallel planes ". 96. 

84. Method of exposing contents of pericardial sac 97 

85. View of thorax after left side has been taken off and left apical lobe 

turned back .• 98 

86. View of thorax after left side has been removed 100 

87. Proper manner of grasping large blood-vessels between heart and lungs 

in removing them from thorax or from sink to table 101 

88. View of cadaver after evisceration of thorax, abdomen, and pelvis 102 

89. Aorta, mesenteric and iliac blood-vessels properly opened 103 

90. Lines of incision for ablation of horny sole and frog 112 

91. Lines of incision for sawing the wall of the hoof 112 

92. Correct position of ruminant at autopsy 118 

93. View showing the skin of the right side together with the right fore and 

hind leg dissected back from a single ventral median, incision from the 
chin to the anus : 119 

94. Skin of the right side of the head and neck removed and thrown over the 

dorsal side 120 

95. Incisions to be made in removing calvarium and opening nasal passages 122 

96. This shows relation of incisions to horns and occipital condyles 123 

97. Showing position of incision between horn and external auditory meatus 124 

98. Halves of calvarium spread apart exposing brain and frontal sinuses . . . 124 

99. The right fore and hind legs and the right side, have been removed 

exposing thoracic and abdominal cavities 129 

100. Pelvic, abdominal and part of thoracic cavities after evisceration, 

showing adrenals and lymph glands 133 

101. Dorsal position of swine 136 

102. Transverse incision made through the belly wall 136 

103. Flaps of abdominal wall laid outward 138 

104. When the ilioca^cal valve is of particular interest 139 

105. Dorsal position of dog 143 

106. To expose abdominal viscera 143 

107. Lay flaps of belly wall outward 143 

108. Figure to the left shows the skin and musculature removed from nose. 

Figure at the right shows nasal bone, calvarium and top of spinal canal 
removed 149 



xiv ILLUSTRATIONS 

109. Autopsy of mouse 152 

110. Autopsy of guinea pig 153 

111. Autopsy of a rabbit 154 

112. Operative technic for the fowl 156 

113. After making the incisions the crop is freed from the breast 157 

114. Unopened organs of a chicken after evisceration 158 

115. Representation of certain famihar objects, with scales in millimeters and 

inches 164 

116. Scale for accurate measurement (F. Smith) 165 

117. Tongue, larynx, trachea and a'sophagus 166 

118. Lungs after opening trachea and bronchi 169 

119. Proper position of heart at autopsy 170 

120. Right and left cavities of the heart opened 171 

121. The entire heart inverted 172 

122. Heart in same relative position as in Fig. 121 173 

123. Heart in same relative position as shown in Fig. 122. Illustration shows 

the second incision 175 

124. Spleen of a horse 178 

125. After incisions have been made through the spleen 178 

126. Line of incision in opening stomach and duodenum 181 

127. Double colon and csecum. Proper position for autopsy view from above 185 

128. Liver properly incised 193 

129. Correct position of hands and knife in opening kidney 197 

130. Ividney opened like a book after completing incision 198 

131. Vagina, uterus, and right ovary opened 202 

132. The udder divided into its two lateral halves 205 

133. Each udder-half is laid open Hke a book exposing cut surface of paren- 

chyma and milk cisterns 206 

134. Showing urethra, bladder, seminal vesicles, etc., laid open 207 

135. LTrethra, bladder, seminal vesicles and vasa deferentia laid open, show- 

ing orifices of glands 208 

136. The hemispheres of the cerebrum are slightly spread apart and two 

longitudinal incisions made through the corpus collosum into the 
lateral ventricles 210 

137. The lateral and fourth ventricles opened 211 

138. Part of the spinal cord of a horse 212 

139. Position of hands, scissors, and eye in opening the latter on its equator 213 

140. Equatorial line of incision for opening the eye 213 

141. Membrana tympani and manubrium and malleus after splitting the 

petrous temporal bone 213 

142. Form which is sent from the clinic to the autopsy room with the cadaver 215 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM 
TECHNIC 

CHAPTER I 
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 

Definition. — The systematic exposure and critical 
examination of a cadaver for the study of pathologic 
changes in any or all their relations and extent, and in 
many cases with the object of determining the cause of 
death, may be called a post, postmortem, autopsy, necropsy, 
necroscopy, mortopsy, sectio-anatomica, sectio-cadaveris 
or section. Obduction means a medicolegal postmortem 
which is not different from an ordinary autopsy, except that 
the results are used in court to settle a dispute concerning 
cause of death or accident, or duration of some pathologic 
condition to establish the fact that the animal was diseased 
or unsound prior to the date of purchase. A cosmetic 
postmortem is one conducted with the very least disfigure- 
ment, and in which the parts are replaced, and the cadaver 
sewed together, washed, the hair dried, and in general made 
to appear as nearly intact as possible. It is usually accom- 
plished by making an incision on the median line of the 
ventral side from the xiphoid cartilage to the pubis, incising 
the diaphragm and eviscerating the thorax and abdomen. 
The organs are then compressed to free them from fluid, 
replaced, packed tight with paper, cloths, cotton or oakum, 
and the incision closed with a baseball stitch. 

Complete Autopsy. — A complete autopsy must be 



2 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

effectuated in cases where the cause of death is not known. 
Every detail of technic must be completed and every organ 
or part carefully examineii to make j^ossible a correct post- 
mortem diagnosis. 

Incomplete Autopsy. — A short autopsy (removal of 
front leg and side of the large animal) may be done w^hen 
the piu'pose of the postmortem is to corroborate a positive 
laboratory or clinical diagnosis. Should the trouble not be 
disclosed, one must continue the autopsy to completion. 

Object.^ — In no other branch of veterinary science is 
there demanded more sound knowledge, accurate scientific 
and systematic technic, and keen powers of observation, 
discrimination and interpretation. 

In many cases the purpose of an autopsy is to establish 
the cause of death or the length of time a disease process 
has existed, or its area of anatomical distribution. The 
information obtained may be used in legal proceedings 
and should therefore be exact and complete in every detail. 

The practitioner should, whenever possible, autopsy 
every case lost. Through such study of post-mortem 
pathology he imquestionably comes to a more thorough 
knowledge of the interpretation of symptoms, the efficiency 
and proper selection of remedies, and in general, becomes 
a better diagnostician and safer therapist. He may fre- 
quently desire to corroborate his own or another's clinical 
diagnosis and justify the treatment used, on his own 
account or as a consultant, by conducting an autopsy in the 
owner's presence. Systematic tedmic and sound logic in 
such cases do much toward the establishment of an enduring 
reputation, and one is assured of a greater pecuniarj^ return 
than should he neglect such opportunities of study and 
demonstration of morbid processes. In addition it affords 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 3 

an excellent opportunity for the review of anatomy, and in 
animals killed by accident, for the study of the physio- 
logical character of the various parts, which better enables 
one to differentiate the normal, pathologic and post-mortem 
decomposed tissues. The practice of surgical operations 
on cadavers after an autopsy is commendable and tends to 
increase one's efficiency in surgery. 

In many instances the services of State livestock sanitary 
boards have been sought to determine the specificity of a dis- 
ease supposed to be present on premises where three or four 
animals died within a short length of time. Frequently, 
in these instances, a knowledge of systematic post-mortem 
technic would have shown the veterinary physician that the 
trouble in each animal was purely local and very remote 
from the nature of a communicable disease. 

State veterinaries, commissioners of health, agents of 
State boards of health. State livestock sanitary boards, 
government field veterinarians, and laboratory pathologists 
should be thoroughly trained in post-mortem technic, as 
their duties may necessitate instruction, supervision, or 
actuation of autopsy of animals dead of contagious or in- 
fectious diseases, for the purpose of diagnosis, scientific 
research, or food sanitation. 

Clinicians should follow cases which terminate fatally 
to the post-mortem table and there review the study of those 
morbid processes which they were endeavoring to correct. 
This strengthens their ability in diagnosis and treatment 
and makes them better teachers. 

Regular systematic postmortems should be made and 
accurately recorded at every veterinary school and hospital 
for the accumulation of valuable data which are of great 
scientific and geographical interest. 



4 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

Autopsy work for students in schools of veterinary 
medicine is indispensable. The student should first have 
a thorough training in general pathology and special 
pathology, the latter particularly studied from the stand- 
point of the pathology of the organs and systems of organs, 
as well as the contagious and infectious diseases. Too few 
of our profession have had a firm foundation laid in the 
pathology of the various systems of organs. With a good 
theoretical knowledge of the morbid processes of which 
an organ or part is susceptible, one may be, and often is, 
totally unable to recognize the conditions when confronted 
with them. Pathology taught at the autopsy table trains 
the student, as he can be trained in no other way, in distin- 
guishing between the normal, pathological and post- 
mortem decomposed tissues. It stimulates deep thinking, 
\ logical reasoning power, and the development of a keen 
mind. Post-mortem changes have, all too frequently, been 
accused of constituting pathologic changes which have 
never existed in the subject. Students and graduates not 
infrequently fail to identify various parts of organs or are 
unable to distinguish one organ from another, yet may 
speak most learnedly of the Malpighian corpuscles and 
the islands of Langerhans. 

Ample opportunity is had in most of our veterinary 
schools for regular systematic courses in post-mortem 
pathology. The writer has taught the sub j ect in this man- 
ner for a nmnber of years and is thoroughly convinced 
that in no other way can a student be taught pathology 
with enough proficiency to enable him to consistently 
recognize, accurately describe, and logically give the 
pathogenesis of the many various morbid processes. Illus- 
trations, museum specimens, word pictures, and discussions 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 5 

are valuable accessories, but when not used in conjunction 
with regular systematic post-mortem study they fail in 
their purpose, because, to the student mind, they are not 
real and they lack the association of other tissues and those 
processes which are primary and secondary to them. The 
teaching of pathology by lectures without systematic study 
at the post-mortem table would be no less impressive, con- 
vincing, or efficient than lectures in medicine without clinic, 
or the theory of surgery without surgery practicum. At 
the post-mortem table a j^atliologic process gives the 
student a full appreciation of its true significance. The 
presence of the cadaver itself bears mute witness of the 
malignancy of many morbid processes. The primary lesion 
and many of the subsequently changed tissues when handled, 
inspected and discussed in their full relationships so inter- 
est the student that he is much less apt to forget, and exer- 
cise of the functions of seeing, hearing, smelling and feeling 
during the examination and description of diseased tissues 
in their proper environment establishes an acquaintance- 
ship so close that one experiences little difficulty in recog- 
nizing the processes when next met. Scientific systematic 
post-mortem technic should be used whenever possible to 
facilitate the teaching of pathology at the post-mortem 
table. 

Authority. — Secure proper authority for conducting 
an autopsy before it is begun. State laws may prohibit 
the post-mortem examination of animals dead of communi- 
cable diseases, or place certain restrictions upon such 
examinations. Some owners object to an autopsy being 
performed upon an animal, especially if it has been a pet. 

Time, Date, Light and Weather. — Perform the 
autopsy in daylight and as soon after the death of the 



6 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

animal as possible. Colors cannot be properly determined 
in artificial light, and post-mortem decomposition sets in 
very soon after death, especially in hot weather. One 
should carefully compare the time and date of death or 
destruction with that of autopsy, as it may aid in deter- 
mining the cause of certain tissue changes. 

Place. — Choose the cleanest place available in which 
to perform an autopsj^ The cadaver of a large animal 
should be placed upon a table 2I/2 feet high when con- 
venient. In the field where this is impossible remove the 
cadaver from the stable in order to secure the best possible 
light and to prevent littering the premises. Carefully 
consider the place of death and that of autopsy, as it may 
assist in accounting for conditions of the hair, skin and 
extremities, induced by dragging or handling the animal 
after death. In rural places the carcass is sometimes moved 
on a stoneboat or dragged on its side to the place of burial 
or incineration before autopsy. In cities cadavers are 
removed to reduction plants soon after death. Secure floor 
space near a door or window where the most light is to be 
had, have the floor cleaned, and then work rapidly, when 
doing an autopsy at a reduction plant. 

Clinical History. — Secure clinical history, diagnosis 
and treatment of the case and mode of termination of the 
animal. Know, if possible, whether death occurred quietly 
or if the animal struggled during the agonal stages, and 
finally the position of the patient at the time of death. 
Medicaments are sometimes responsible for alterations of 
tissues. Autopsy findings are sometimes absolutely value- 
less in establishing a diagnosis without the history. Body 
fluids gravitate to the side upon which the animal lies soon 
after death. 



GE>^ERAL CONSIDERATIONS 7 

Destruction of Animajl. — When an animal is to be 
destroyed, especially for autopsy purposes, it should be 
so dispatched as to least harm those parts which are of 
most probable interest for post-mortem examination. 
When inflammatory processes are anticipated, the animal 
should not be bled to death. It should not be shot or struck 
in the head if the brain is likely to be of especial interest. 
It should not be shot, or injected intrathoracically with 
strychnine if the heart or limgs are thought to be affected. 
Large animals usually may be most conveniently pithed 
or given strychnine intravenously. Small animals may be 
destroyed with chloroform, ether, illuminating gas, or 
strychnine subcutaneously. One should secure the name 
and address of persons who authorized, effectuated, and 
witnessed the destruction of the animal. 

DescriptiOjST of Cadaver. — Take an accurate detailed 
description of the cadaver before the autopsy is begun, as 
the information may be needed in court proceedings. One 
should consider species, breed, sex, age, color, markings, 
size, weight, tag number, and clinic number. 

Witnesses. — Secure witnesses to the autopsy, when 
convenient, for use in cases of probable forensic involve- 
ment. Witnesses of an autopsy should be ready to render 
any assistance possible. They should refrain from hand- 
ling specimens until after the autopsist has finished his 
examination, and then only with his permission. To keep 
up a rapid fire of questions or to audibly volunteer one's 
opinion concerning the pathology^ of each lesion, cause of 
death and the final diagnosis is a decided breach of courtesy. 
One's opinion should be given only when asked and then 
guardedly, unless one has had special training in pathology. 

Dress. — Dress properly. During regular autopsy 



8 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



work for students in a post-mortem room a complete change 
of clothes should be made when possible. Lockers should 
be provided for student use adjacent to the autopsy room. 





FiQ. 1. — At left, white coat, rubber sleeves, apron and boots. At right, rubber gown and boots. 



This prevents the street clothes from acquiring an odor 
which is most uncomfortable, both to the wearer and those 
with whom he may come in contact. One may wear a long 
white coat or a suit of overalls, and a rubber apron which 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 9 

covers the front from a few inches below the chin to a few 
inches above the shoe tops, and rubber half sleeves. Better 
still is a rubber gown which slips on over the head, reaches 
nearly to the ankles, buttons at the collar, and has a draw- 
string at the neck (Fig. 1). Rubber boots complete this 
outfit, which is ideal for an instructor and students working 
with the cadaver on a table. When the cadaver is on the 
floor or ground, overalls and a rubber apron which has a 
loop around the neck and strings that tie around the waist 
are preferable, as the skirt of a white coat or rubber gown 
gets in the way when one leans forward to work. For 
small animals, a white coat and rubber apron are sufficient. 

Care of Instruments. — Keep instruments sharp. 
Always place an instrument upon a table, box, board or 
towel close to the cadaver when not in use durinii' an 
autopsy, so that it may be readily found when again needed. 
Do not stick a knife into the cadaver's flesh or place it in 
a body cavity, as it may later cause injury to the autopsist. 
After completing an autopsy upon an animal dead of any 
contagious or infectious disease, the instruments must be 
sterilized before being put away, and under no circum- 
stances should an autopsy be conducted upon another ani- 
mal with the same instruments until after they have been 
sterilized. If this were not done they might be a source of 
infection to the technician, and would possibly contaminate 
tissues of the second cadaver which, when examined bac- 
teriologically, might lead to confusing results. 

Care of Hands. — Remove rings from the fingers be- 
fore beginning an autopsy, as they may become a source 
of infection and are sometimes difficult to clean and sterilize. 
One may smear the hands with carbolized petrolatum to 
close the pores of the skin before starting an autopsy when 



10 VETERINARY TOST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

rubber gloves are not worn. Wear rubber gloves when 
diseases communicable to man are suspected. 

During an autopsy wash the hands frequently enough 
to prevent the accumulation of blood and filth. It should 
be remembered, however, that one should not hesitate to 
touch any tissue the consistency of which should be known 
simply because it has a repulsive appearance. Neither 
should one waste time cleaning and manicuring his nails 
diu'ing an autopsy period. The nails, except that of the 
right thumb, should be trimmed before an autopsy is begun. 
The thumb nail is used in stripping the capsule from an 
organ, except when rubber gloves are worn, when the sharp 
edge of a knife is emjjloyed. One should not be foolhardy 
and carelessly expose himself to danger by handling sus- 
picious material without rubber gloves ( glanders, etc. ) . 

In case of an abrasion or cut contracted during the per- 
formance of an autopsy, one should stop immediately and 
wash the wound with warm water and soap, and then apply 
an antiseptic such as concentrated iodine, 5 per cent, lysol, 
or 1-1000 mercury bichloride solution, then apply collo- 
dion or celloidin dissolved in equal parts of ether and 
alcohol, bandage, and put on a rubber finger stall or rubber 
glove and continue the autopsy. If this is not convenient 
one should wash and antisepticize the wound and direct 
another person in the performance of the autopsy until it 
is completed, thus taking no further chances of becoming 
infected. 

Notes. — One must make notes of the post-mortem find- 
ings immediately after the completion of the autopsy or 
dictate them to another person (amanuensis) while con- 
ducting the autopsy. One should not depend upon his 
memory for the post-mortem protocol. 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 11 

Specimens for Laboratory Examination. — For 
preservation of tissues for microscopical examination small 
bottles containing fixatives, such as formalin 8 per cent., 
concentrated sublimate of mercury, Muller's fluid, or 95 per 
cent, alcohol, should be taken to the place of autopsy and 
the tissue placed in the fixative immediately. The bottle 
should be packed in a wooden box with absorbent cotton 
( tumors, actinomycosis, etc. ) . 

Material for bacteriological examination may be used 
at the autopsy. Tubes of sterile bouillon may be taken 
to the cadaver and small pieces of diseased tissue dropped 
into the fluid with very little danger of contamination if the 
scissors have been sterilized and kept in paper wrapping or 
the scalpels sterilized and kept in test-tubes. If this is not 
convenient, place the tissue in a sterile, liquid-tight rubber- 
stoppered, wide-mouthed bottle or fruit jar and then pack 
in ice and sawdust. The same holds true for specimens to 
be examined histologically when fixatives cannot be secured. 

When packing specimens for shipment to a laboratory 
for examination keep the following points in mind : " 

1. That the specimen should reach the laboratory in tlie 
shortest possible time. 

2. That it should reach the laboratory, as nearly as pos- 
sible, in the same condition as when removed from the 
cadaver or animal. 

3. That it should be so packed as to incur the least pos- 
sibility of contamination or decomposition. 

4. That it should be so packed as to render the least 
chance of breakage of glass container, leakage of infec- 
tious fluid, or escape of unpleasant odor. 

5. That ice should not come in direct contact with 
specimens that are to be examined bacteriologically. 



12 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

6. Specimens should not be wrapped in cloths wet w4th 
antiseptics then 23acked in paper or pasteboard boxes and 
shipped, as the covering macerates and facilitates contami- 
nation of both the tissues and the surroundings. 

7. Large specimens and those packed in ice should be 
sent by express, others by parcel post or mail. 

8. The package should be plainly marked, " For bac- 
teriological, serological or pathological examination," to- 
gether with the name and address of the laboratory and 
the sender. 

9. Separate containers should be so plainly marked as 
to insure identification of the animal from which the speci- 
men w as taken. 

10. When no particular disease is suspected, parts of 
heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs and lymph-glands should 
be submitted to the laboratory. When possible the whole 
unopened heart should be sent. 

11. A letter should be directed to the laboratory stating 
the specific tests desired, the disease suspected, time of the 
animal's death and that of the autopsy, complete history, 
and post-mortem report. 

Express Compa:nies Regulations. — Various State 
boards of health have decided that the custom of shipping 
bodies (especially dogs) to State laboratories or other public 
or private laboratories is unnecessary, and a menace to the 
health of the people, and regulations have been established 
that whenever analyses of dead animal tissue become neces- 
sary, the brain, spinal cord, stomach, liver, or other part 
must be removed from the body of the animal and placed 
in a tin, zinc, or other metal-lined box tightly closed before 
delivering to the express company or other public carrier. 

Mailing and Parcel Post Regulations. — Section 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 13 

36 of the Parcel Post Regulations: Specimens of dried 
blood or of diseased tissues or communicable diseases, cul- 
tures and tubercular sputum may be mailed in accordance 
with instructions of the Treasury Department (Bureau of 
Public Health and Marine Hospital Service), as promul- 
gated by the Post Office Department under Order No. 3064 
of April 22, 1910. 

Diseased Tissues in the Mails. — Order No. 3064, 
Section 495, Postal Laws and Regulations, is hereby 
amended to read as follows: Specimens of diseased tissues 
may be admitted to the mail for transmission to the United 
States, State, Municipal or other laboratories in possession 
of permits referred to in paragraph 3 of this section only 
when enclosed in mailing cases constructed in accordance 
with this regidation: 

Provided, that bacteriologic and pathologic specimens 
of plague and cholera (not hog cholera) shall under no 
circmiistances be admitted to the mails. 

2. Liquid cultures or cultures of micro-organisms in 
media that are fluid at the ordinary temperatures (below 
45° C. or 113° F.) are unmailable. Such specimens may be 
sent in media that remain solid at ordinary temperatures. 

3. No package containing diseased tissues shall be de- 
livered to any representative of any of said laboratories 
until a permit shall have been first issued by the Postmaster 
General certifying that said institution has been found 
entitled, in accordance with the requirements of this regu- 
lation, to receive such specimen. 

4fl. Specimens of tubercular sputum (whether disin- 
fected with carbolic acid or not disinfected) shall be trans- 
mitted in a solid glass vial with a mouth not less than one 
inch in diameter and capacity of not more than two ounces, 



14 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

closed by a metallic screw top protected by a rubber or 
felt washer. Specimens of diphtheria, typhoid or other 
infectious or communicable diseases or diseased tissue shall 
be placed in a test-tube of tough glass, not over one-half 
inch in diameter and not over three and a half inches in 
length, closed with a stopper of rubber or cotton and sealed 
with paraffin or covered with a tightly-litting rubber cap. 

h. The glass vial or test-tube shall then be placed in 
a cylindrical tin box made of 1. C. bright tin plate, with 
soldered joints, closed by a metal screw cover with a rub- 
ber or felt washer. The vial or test-tube in this box shall 
be completely and evenly surrounded by absorbent cotton 
closely packed. 

c. The tin box with its contents must then be inclosed 
in a closely fitting metal, wooden, or papier-mache block or 
tube at least three-sixteenths of an inch thick in its thinnest 
part, of sufficient strength to resist rough handling and sup- 
port the weight of the mails piled in bags. This last tube 
to be tightly closed with a metal screw top. 

5. Specimens of blood dried on glass microscopic slides 
for diagnosis of malaria or typhoid fever by the Widal test 
may be sent in any strong mailing case which is not liable to 
breakage or loss of the specimen in transit. 

6. Upon the outside of every package of diseased tis- 
sues admitted to the mails shall be written or printed the 
words " Specimen for bacteriological examination." This 
package to be pouched with letter mail. See section 49, 
P. L. and R. 

Milk or Urine. — The liquid should be placed in a 
tightly closed sterile container and packed in ice and 
sawdust. 

Pus. — Pus should be collected on a sterile cotton swab 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 15 

that has been sterilized in a test-tube or placed in a sterile, 
tightly stoppered bottle. 

Fceces. — Fecal matter should be collected in a clean, 
tightly stoppered bottle. 

Blood. — For serological diagnosis of contagious abor- 
tion and glanders 20 to 30 c.c. of blood should be ascepti- 
cally drawn from the j ugular vein of the living animal into 
sterile test-tubes or bottles and closed with rubber stoppers. 
Blood should not be smeared on glass slides or paper. 

Ea'tenial Parasites. — Flies, fleas, ticks, and other 
easily seen external parasites may be collected readily, and 
mange and scab mites included in deep scrapings from the 
skin should be mailed in a tightly stoppered glass bottle. 

Internal Parasites. — Tapeworms, flukes, and round- 
worms should be placed in a rubber- stoppered bottle con- 
taining 8 per cent, formalin, 60 per cent, alcohol or 1-1000 
bichloride of mercury. 

Anthrajc. — The specimen should consist of an ear or 
hoof. These should be used for two reasons : In the first 
place they are extremities, distantly situated from the intes- 
tinal tract from which point in the process of post-mortem 
decomposition various organisms simulating the anthrax 
bacillus pass toward the periphery following the blood- 
and lymph-vessels and later pass directly through the tis- 
sues. Thus they reach the ear or hoof later than most parts 
of the anatomy and lessen the possibility of contaminating 
the blood at those points, which is an advantage to the 
pathologist when examining for anthrax bacilli. Secondly, 
by using the ear, little or no blood escapes from the cadaver 
which prevents contaminating the premises or infection of 
the technician, a condition which might obtain if an autopsy 
were performed to secure specimens of spleen or other 



16 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

organs. When more than one tissue is sent to a laboratory 
for bacteriological examination, each should be packed in 
a separate container to prevent contamination of the others. 
The ear is placed in a glass jar, preferably a Mason fruit 
jar with rubber ring to prevent escape of fluid. This is then 
packed with ice and sawdust in a strong box. A portion of 
ear or other tissue may be placed in a hollowed-out potato 
and shipped. Cut a large potato in halves ; hollow out part 
of it; place specimen in the vacant space, place halves to- 
gether and tie with a string, wrap in paper, pack in a box 
and mail. 

Blackleg. — Pieces of affected muscle should be put in 
a wide-mouthed bottle and tightly corked or sealed in a fruit 
jar. " Blackleg muscle should be covered with salt because 
the decaying process is arrested by salt and the blackleg 
bacilli are stimulated to the rapid formation of clostrydian 
forms and spores " (Muller). 

Malignant CEdema and Tetanus. — Locally affected 
parts should be excised, packed in fruit jars, and then in ice 
and sawdust in a box. 

Hemorrhagic SejJticceinia. — Portions of pneumonic 
lung and portions of liver showing infarcts and focal 
necrosis should be selected. From these the causative agent 
can often be isolated in pure culture directly on agar slants. 
These may be packed as above described. 

Tubercidosis. — Small specimens may be sent in bottles 
or glass jars which can be tightly closed. Large specimens 
should be wrapped in cheese-cloth and oil-cloth, placed in 
tin container, tightly closed, and then packed in sawdust 
and ice in a closed wooden box. 

Hog Cholera, Swine Plagve, Swine Erysipelas. — Por- 
tions of skin, kidneys, lungs, lymph-glands, and intestines 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 17 

are preferable. The intestines should include the ileoc^ecal 
valve. These may be packed as other specimens. 

Bacterial Dysentery, or Para-tubej'culosis. — About a 
foot of the ileum should be ligated in two places so that an 
unopened portion may reach the laboratory. This is placed 
in a glass jar and packed as above described. 

Infectious Abortion. — A foetus, unopened, and placenta 
should be wrapped in cloth, placed in a tightly closed can, 
then packed as other specimens. 

Rabies. — The head of a small animal suspected of rabies 
should be severed from the body as closely to the trunk 
as possible. This facilitates the location of the ganglia to 
be examined. The head of a large animal should be severed 
in such manner as to leave six inches of the neck with the 
head. To lessen the weight the lower jaw may be removed 
and the head may be cut in two parts transversely at a point 
just anterior to the eyes, and the nasal portion discarded. 
The head should be packed securely in a tin receptacle 
and this packed in sawdust and ice in a wooden pail or box 
and tightly closed. 

Glanders. — Pieces of skin, nasal septum, lung or lymph- 
gland showing nodules or ulcers should be carefully ex- 
cised, tightly sealed in a fruit jar or other container that 
can be made liquid tight, then packed as other specimens. 

Poultry and Small Animals. — The entire cadaver 
should be wi-apped in cloth, packed, and shipped as other 
specimens. 



CHAPTER II 
AUTOPSY ROOM 

RooM.^ — An ideal autopsy room for teaching purposes 
is one 20' X 28', with high ceihng, plenty of skylight and 
ventilation. The Hoor should be cement, graded slightly 
toward a central drain. The walls should be cement or 
enamel upward five feet from the floor so that they may be 
readily cleaned and antisepticized ( Fig. 2 ) . 

Large Table. — A convenient autopsy table for large 
animals is one built somewhat like a truck except that a 
handle is not necessary. It is 8' long, 3' wide, and 32" 
high. The top is more durable when made of hard wood 
approximately 3" thick, covered with zinc or other metal 
and sloped toward a drain in the centre. Side leaves are 
of no particular advantage, and when a table is built to 
revolve it is seldom used for that purpose. Wheels under 
the table are necessary for convenience in moving it about 
while cleaning the room. The wheels at one end may be 
arranged as large castors which facilitates directing the 
table in case it should be necessary to demonstrate a sub j ect 
in an adjacent class-room. The main points necessary are 
that the table be simple, strong, convenient and easily 
cleaned. It should be placed in the centre of the room, 
as it is necessary to work on all sides of it. 

Small Table. — For small animals a zinc-covered table 
6' long, 3' wide and 3' high is desirable. The surface should 
slope toward a drain in the centre and a slanting lip 1" 
high should be placed on all sides to prevent organs from 
slipping off. This table need not be movable, but should 

18 



AUTOPSY ROOM 



19 




20 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

possess strong legs and be placed against the wall, as a 
small animal can be moved about at the convenience of the 
autopsist. Two temporary wooden tables like those used in 
dissecting laboratories may be placed on either side of the 
small table. They are necessary, when the latter is in use, 
to place the organs of large animals upon, for observation, 
after having been washed in the tub. 

Instrument Table. — A small, light, metal instrument 
table 32" high and surface measurements 30" X 20" is 
necessary during an autopsy. The instruments to be used 
for an autopsy may be taken from the instrument case and 
placed upon this table at a point convenient to the obducent. 

Instrument Case. — An instrument case may be of 
wood or glass and fastened against the wall. The size must 
depend upon the number of instrmnents used. One 4' high, 
3' wide and 1' deep is convenient. 

Desk. — A writing desk must be placed in one corner of 
the room. It should have one or more drawers and the 
surface should slo23e forward somewhat. One of convenient 
measurements presents surface length of 30", width 28", 
height at highest point 49" and at lowest point 46". 

Tub. — For washing organs after their removal from the 
cadaver a tub should be provided. A porcelain tub showing 
length of 54", width 24", and depth 18" is very serviceable. 

Basin. — For cleansing the hands during and after an 
autopsy a porcelain wash basin supplied with hot and cold 
water should be installed. 

Shel^t:s. — Shelves should be jilaced above the wash 
basin to hold bottles of antiseptic. 

Water Pipes. — A water pipe 1" in diameter should be 
placed over the large and small autopsy tables. One rub- 
ber hose 1" in diameter should extend from the pipe to the 



AUTOPSY ROOM 21 

small table. Two such pieces of rubber hose should extend 
from the water pipe to the large table, one at either end. 
"^Vlien not in use a hook arrangement holds them above the 
table. This arrangement of the water hose is necessary to 
wash blood from the organs and tissues before their removal. 
For cleaning the floor and walls a rubber hose 1" in diame- 
ter and 30' long should be provided. 

Sterilizer. — An instrument sterilizer is necessary for 
use after the autopsy of animals dead of infectious diseases, 
such as glanders and tuberculosis. 

Scale. — A scale marked with the metric system for 
weighing organs and tumors is necessary. 

Vise. — A vise-like arrangement is convenient for hold- 
ing the head while removing the brain and for the sawing 
of long bones. 

Platforms. — Several temporary slat platforms should 
be placed upon the cement floor around the tables to pre- 
vent slipping. Those convenient for a room 20' X 30' are 
7' X 3' and the top is 3" from the floor. Each platform is 
made of twelve pieces of hardwood 2" X 2" by 7' laid 
lengthwise and four pieces 2" X 9" by 3' laid crosswise and 
securely nailed. 

Refuse Cans. — Large animals in cities must be re- 
moved soon after the autopsy. For small animals metal 
refuse cans 20" in diameter and 30" high with close-fitting 
covers may be used. An antiseptic must be placed over the 
cadavers kept in this manner and the cans must be emptied 
frequently. A crematory might be used to advantage. In the 
field where conveniences are few, choose a grass plot when 
possible upon which to conduct an autopsy. Have a few 
clean boards upon which to lay the organs as they are taken 
out. Be provided with several pails of water, soap, towels, etc. 



CHAPTER III 
POST-MORTEM INSTRUMENTS 

Virchow's post-mortem knife (Fig. 3), and cartilage 
knife ( Fig. 4 ) , are steel instruments with hollow handles. 
They are used on the cadavers of large animals and are very 
serviceable when properly taken care of. They should be 
kept sharp with a stone, not a steel. Application of too 
much force on the knife when it is dull causes injury to the 
blade and may break the instrument at the junction of the 
blade and handle. One should make a practice of the con- 
stant use of these knives in autopsy work, and avoid the 
tendency to substitute a butcher knife, since systematic 
post-mortem work is not butchery. When circumstances 
compel one to resort to the use of a meat knife he should 
select a short steel instrument with a handle which forms 
a straight line with the cutting edge of the blade at the 
junction (Fig. 5) so that the heel of the blade does not 
catch in the tissues when the knife is drawn toward the 
autopsist while making an incision. 

In using the post-mortem knife one should grasp it 
with a full hand grip as though to cut bread (Fig. 6). 
Sufficient pressure can be brought to bear upon it in this 
position for any reasonable purpose and the depth of the 
incision may be regulated with much greater accuracy. 
Beginners are sometimes inclined to take the knife as they 
would a pen or scalpel while dissecting, and they frequently 
seize it as a dagger would be held. When used like a scalpel 
(Fig. 6) not enough pressure can be exerted, and when held 
like a dagger (Fig. 6) the force cannot be regulated and 

22 



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24 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



one experiences difficulty in making a straight incision. 
Both these positions are unhandy, prevent free arm and 
shoulder movement, and should not be employed. 

Little's case knife (Fig. 7) gives excellent service in 
autopsy work on small animals. 

Pick's myelotome (Fig. 8) is used for severing the 
spinal cord at right angles when the brain and cord are 
to be removed separately. 




Fig. 6. — The "pen-hold" at the left, and the "dagger-hold" in the centre are improper. 
The "bread cutting" position to the right is the proper way to hold a large knife in doing 
autopsy work. The thumb may slip a little more to the left side of the knife. 

VircJww's brain knife (Fig. 9) has a two-edged, round 
end, thin, flexible blade and hollow handle. It is used in 
opening the lateral ventricles of the brain and for incising 
the cerebrum, cord and cerebellum. It should be kept 
moist when in use to prevent the brain tissue from sticking 
to the blade. 

Dissecting scalpels of various sizes (Fig. 10) may be 
used for autopsy of small animals, and with a groove direc- 
tor (Fig. 11) for incising meninges. 

Incising knives are used in making long incisions in the 
liver, muscles, lungs, and in opening the kidneys (Fig. 12) . 

Monosmitlis enucleation knife (Fig. 13) is used in 



POST-MORTEM INSTRUMENTS 



25 



removing the eyeball. The 
blade curves in such manner as 
to cut the attachments and 
avoid injury to the sclera. 

A spearhead needle and a 
jjrohe set in either end of a hol- 
low metal handle (Fig. 14) are 
convenient for finer work on 
the eye and ear. 

A harpoon needle (Fig. 
15) is employed in removing 
the optic lens. 

Tyrrell's blunt and sharp 
hooks set in either end of a hol- 
low metal handle (Fig. 16) are 
convenient in removing the ear 
ossicles and for optic work. 

A common steel (Fig. 17) 
is necessary to keep meat 
knives sharp when one is com- 
pelled to use them. 

A raspatory (Fig. 18) is 
used to scrape tissues from 
bones when close examina- 
tion of the bone substance is 
necessary. 

A 2nth (Fig. oB) is occa- 
sionally used in destroying ani- 
mals. The point is placed over 
the space between the occipital 
bone and atlas on the dorsal 
median line of the neck, oppo- 



o 

m 

'< 

m 

^ 

z 

H 
f\ 
o 



K^ 




Fig. 7 Fig. 8 

Fig. 7. — Little's case knife for general 
autopsy work on small animals. 

Fig. 8. — Pick's myelotome. Used for 
severing the spinal cord at right angles 
when the brain and cord are to be re- 
moved separately. 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



site the lateral wing of the atlas, and the head 
of the pith is struck sharply with the palm of 
the hand. The animal may be cast first, or 
placed beside a step, table or other elevation 
which will enable one to conveniently perform 
the operation without injury to himself. 



Fig. 10 



V 



Fig. 12 



9 Fig. 9. — Virchow's brain knife. This thin, flexible, two-edged knife, with 

rounded end, is used in performing technic on the brain. It should be mois- 
tened before using to prevent brain tissue adhering to it. 
Fig. 10. — Dissecting scalpel used in finer work on large animals and general technic on 
small animals. 

Fig. 11. — Groove director used with small scalpel in cutting the meninges. 
FiQ. 12. — Incising knives, used in making long, smooth incisions through the liver, kid- 
neys, lungs, udder, and muscles. 



POST-MORTEM INSTRUMENTS 



27 



Championniere's, Esmarch's, and McEwens hone 
chisels (Figs. 19, 20, 21, respectively) are used in cutting 
the nasal and cranial bones in exposing the nasal septum 




Fig. 13. — Monosmith's enucleation knife for removing the eye. 



Fig. 14. — Spearhead needle and probe used in technic on eye and ear. 
Fig. 15. — Harpoon needle for removing the optic lens. 



Fig. 16. — Tyrrell's blunt and sharp hooks are verj' useful in work on the middle-ear, the eye 
small blood-vessels and nerves. 



i^lMUBt 



Fig. 17.— SteeL 




Fig. 18. — Raspatory for scraping soft tissue from bones. 




Fig. 19. — Championniere's bone chisel. Used in cutting the nasal and cranial bones. 

and sinuses, the brain, cord, and structures of the foot. As 
field substitutes a steel cold chisel or brick chisel may be 
utilized (Fig. 22). 



28 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



Esmarclis hone gouge is useful for bone work. 
Racliiotomy chisels or curved handle bone chisels ( Figs. 
23, 24) are used in cutting the vertebrae of large animals. 




Fig. 20. — ^Esmarch's bone chisel. It is very heavy and is used on the vertebrae of large animals. 




Fig. 21. — McEwen's bone chisel. This instrument is lighter and is used on the sole of the 
foot and dental alveoli. 




^ 



FiQ- 22. — Brick chisels much reduced. They may be used as bone chisels 




Fig. 23. — Hachiotomy chisel for cutting the cranial bones in removal of the calvarium. 




Fig. 24. — Rachiotomy chisel for cutting nasal bones in removal of turbinated bones. 



severing long bones of small animals for examination of the 
bone-marrow, and in the technic of the head and foot. 



POST-MORTEM INSTRUMENTS 



29 



The cross chisel is a combination hammer, chisel and 
round-edged wedge. The upright has a very sharp edge. 
The length of the cross piece is 12 cm. (4)4") » that of the 
upright 13 cm. (ca 5y^"). This instrument is used in pry- 
ing off the calvarium of small animals after the cranial 
bones have been cut, and it is used for removing the perios- 





FlG. 25. — Cross chisel and proper position for use of the chisel end. 



r 



Fig. 26. — Dexler's rachiotome (Schmey). 



teum. The cross chisel (Fig. 25) is made like a capital T. 
To use it grasp the instrument so that it lies in the palm 
of the hand with the upright sharp chisel portion passing 
backward and downward below the wrist. The right half 
of the cross-piece with the hammer head should lie between 
the thumb and forefinger, and the left half of the cross- 
piece or wedge end should pass between the first two fingers. 



30 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 





Fig. 27 



Fig. 28 



Fig. 27. — Brunetti's left curved rachio- 
tome for opening the spina] canal of small 
animals. 

Fig. 28. — Brunetti's right curved rachio- 
tome for opening spinal canal ot small 
animals. 



Upon closing the hand the last 
three fingers grasp tlie upright 
or chisel branch, the thumb and 
the base of the forefinger en- 
close the hammer end, and the 
first finger closes over the left 
half of the cross-piece or wedge 
(Fig. 25). 

Deocler's rachiotome (Fig. 
26) presents a loop handle and 
a head opposite the chisel edge 
to strike upon. The handle is 
placed at right angles to the 
cutting edge instead of in a 
direct line with it. 

Brunettis rach ioto7iies 
(Figs. 27, 28) are right and 
left curved spinal chisels used 
for opening the spinal canal of 
small animals. A probe point 
extends 2 cm. beyond one end 
of the cutting edge to guide the 
chisel when it is placed in the 
canal and to prevent the chisel 
from slipping off the vertebrae 
at each impact of the mallet. 

A side chisel is a steel in- 
strument with a cutting edge 
on one side of the blade instead 
of at the end ( Fig. 29 ) . It has 
a sharp point projecting later- 
ally from one side of the end 



POST-MORTEIVI INSTRUMENTS 



31 



in the direction of the cutting edge. It is used in cutting 
vertebra of small animals when opening the spinal canal. 
A head is made on the back of the chisel to receive the 
impact of the mallet. It may be used to cut the incom- 
pletely sawed portions of bone in removing the brain, and 
the point may be used in lifting the calvarium after all the 
bones have been cut. 




Fig. 29. — Side chisel used as a rachiotomy chisel for cats and small dogs 




Fig. 30. — Post-mortem ax for cutting the ribs and removing the spinal cord. 

The post-mortem aw (Fig. 30) should have a straight 
cutting edge 14 cm. (5i/4") in length. The depth should 
be 17.5 cm. (7") and the handle 4,5 cm. ( 18") . The weight 
is approximately 1..5 kg. (3.3 lbs.). The ax will be found 
very convenient for cutting the ribs of large animals and 
for cutting the vertebrae of large animals in removing the 
cord. It is well to have the handle corrugated to prevent it 
slipping from the hands. 

The steel hammer hook (Fig. 31) is a combination 



32 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



wedge, hammer and hook. The wedge is used in breaking 
unsawed angles of bone in removing the brain, the hammer 




Fig. 31. — Steel hammer hook. The hook is notched so that it will not slip and is used 
to pull off the calvarium after the bones have been sawed and chiselled. The wedge is used to 
pry up the edge of the calvarium. 




Fig 32. — Rib hook. Used to hold the side up while the diaphragm is being cut. 




Fig. 33. — Metal-bound wood mallet used with chisels and rachiotomes in cutting bone and hoof. 

for tapping bones to determine whether they have been 
sawed completely through, and the hook is used in pulling 



POST-MORTEM INSTRUMENTS 



33 



the calvarium free from the skull of large animals after the 
bones have been severed. The hook at the end of the handle 




34. Rawhide mallet. Thia instrument is smaller and lighter than a wood mallet and is 

used for the same general purpose. 




Fig. So. — Iron pinchers for removing sole and wall of hoof. 




Fig. 36. — Costotomes used in cutting the ribs of small animals in removal of the sternum. 

is provided with sharp notches to prevent slipping when 
hooked under the edge of the calvarium. 



34 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



A rib hook (Fig. 32) is a steel hook with a loop handle 
used to hold the ribs up while the diaphragm is being 
severed, and to remove the side after it has been freed from 
the body. It is 6" long. 




Fig. 37. — Bone-cutting forceps. The forceps have short, heavy blades and are used in remov- 
ing the brain and cord of small animals and exposing nasal passages. 

A wood viallet (Fig. 33) with each striking surface 
metal bound is used with chisels in cutting bone and hoof. 

A rawhide mallet (Fig. 34) is used with chisels on small 
animals. 

Iron pinchers (Fig. 35) are invaluable in removing the 



POST-MORTEM INSTRUMENTS 



35 



sole and wall of the hoof. It should have handles 35 cm. 
(14") long and the diameter of the jaws should be 9 cm. 
(3.5"). ' 

Costotomes (Fig. 36) are instruments used in cutting 
the ribs of small animals. The blades are curved and the 




Fig. 38. — Cartilage shears. This instrument has straight, pointed blades and is used in cut- 
ting thin bone, as the turbinates, cartilage of the nasal, septum, and sternal cartilages. 




Fig. 39. — Enterotonie showing one blunt point which is longer than the other. It is used in 

opening the intestines. 




Fig. 40.— Small scissors which have one point blunt. It is used as an enterotonie for very 

small animals. 

hook-like blade may be notched and so divided that the 
other blade passes through it. 

Bone-cutting forceps {Yig. 37) have short, heavy blades 
placed at various angles to the handles. They are especially 
useful in cutting the bones of the skull and vertebra? of small 
animals in removing the brain and cord. 



S6 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 




Fig. 41. — Small scissors with straight and curved blades for opening hearts and intestines of 

very small animals. 



POST-MORTEM INSTRUMENTS 



37 



Cartilage shears (Fig. 38) have straight blades which 
are thinner than those of the bone forceps. 

An enterotome (Fig. 39) is a scissors with detachable 
blades, one of which is longer than the other and blunt. It 
is used in opening small and large intestines, vagina, uterus, 
urethra and bladder of male and female and sometimes in 
opening the heart. 

Small scisso?'s are necessary. Various sizes and shapes 
are useful. For opening the intestines of small animals and 




Fig. 42. — Artery scissors used for opening small blood-vessels and intestines of birds. 

fowls a small scissors with one half blunt blade is used 
(Fig. 40) . Those with straight and cm-ved blades are used 
in opening very small hearts and intestines (Fig. 41) . 

Artery scissors with straight and bent blades, one of 
which is blunt and longer than the other, are used in opening 
small blood-vessels ( Fig. 42 ) . 

Forceps. — Various sizes of plain (Fig. 43), and rat- 
tooth straight (Fig. 44), and cui-ved (Fig. 4.5) forcejjs are 
used in picking up parasites, removing petuitary body, ear 
ossicles, holding the cerebral and spinal meninges of small 



38 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHN 



IC 




KJ 



I 



POST-MORTEM INSTRUMENTS 



39 



animals while they are incised, and in removing skin and 
organs from small animals. 

Dura and hcemostatic forceps are useful in removing 
arteries, turbinated bones, nasal septum, holding meninges, 
tendons, tendon sheaths, ligaments, etc. (Fig. 46) . 




Fig. 45. — Curved forceps. 




Fig. 4G. — Dura and hemostatic forceps used to hold meninges, turbinated bones, nasal sep- 
tum, blood-vessels, nerves, tendons, etc., while they are being cut or ablated. 

Tumor forceps are used in extirpating tumors, masses 
of muscle tissue, turbinated bones, and necrotic tissue 
(Fig. 47). 

Bone-holding forceps (Fig. 48) are emi^loyed in hold- 



40 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 




eete- Vai 




POST-MORTEM INSTRUMENTS 



41 



ing the spine of small animals while the canal is being 
opened, portions of temporal bone in opening the middle- 
ear, small bones for transverse section, and turbinated bones 
of large animals. After decapitation of dogs or cats sus- 
pected of rabies an attendant can hold the head firm for 
removal of the calvarium by gi'asping the nose or upper 
jaw with these forceps. 




Fig. 50. — Frame saw. Used on the bones of the head and pelvis. 




Fig. 51. — Small frame saw. 



A large blade saw is necessary to saw large bones longi- 
tudinally, and in sawing through the head of large animals, 
through the pelvic symphysis, and through the wall of the 
hoof (Fig. 49). 

A fraiJie saw is employed on large animals in sawing 
the nasal and cranial bones, shaft of the iliimi, long bones 
transversely, and in small animals in transversely severing 



42 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



the spine in the sacral region to start the process' of opening 
the canal with bone forceps or rachiotomy chisels ( Fig. 50 ) . 

A small frame saw is used on small animals (Fig. 51). 

Charriere's blade saw is used in sawing the cranial and 
nasal bones of small animals ( Fig. 52 ) . 




Fig. 52. — Charriere's blade saw. This instrument is used in work on tiie nasal and cranial 

bones of small animals. 




Fiu. .5.3. — Langenbeck's blade saw is used in finer work about the teeth 




Fig. 54. — Kelly's skull saw for removing calvarium of very small animal 







Fig. 55. — Single blade rachiotomy saw. 



Langenhech's blade saw is very narrow and is conve- 
nient for finer work about the teeth, the head in removing 
the eyes attached to the brain, and on very small animals 
and fowls (Fig. 53). 



POST-MORTEM INSTRUMENT 



43 



Kelly's skull saw is convenient for removing the eal- 
variimi of small animals (Fig. 54). 

A single blade rachiotomy saw is one used in severing 




Fig. 50. — Leur's double blade rachiotomy saw. 






" ------- - -^m 



Fig. 57. — Folding steel rule used in measuring tissues. 




Fig. 58. — Needles used in making cosmetic postmortems. 

the vertebrae of small animals in removing the spinal cord 
(Fig. 55). . 

Leur's double blade adjustable raehiotomy saw is used 
in removing the spinal cord (Fig. 56) . 



44 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

A bone or steel rule graded in centimetres on one side 
and inches on the other is necessary in measuring organs. 
A folding rule is most convenient (Fig. 57) . 

Post-morteni needles are used in sewing the cadaver to- 
gether in making a cosmetic postmortem (Fig. 58) . 

Graduates are required for the measurement of cavity 
fluids. They should range in capacity from 10 to 1000 c.c. 

Measuring cups of one-quarter, one-half and one litre 




Fig. 59. — Magnifying glass. This glass is useful in the examination of parasites, ingesta, cut 

surfaces of organs, etc. 

capacity are convenient for collecting and determining the 
quantity of fluid found in the thoracic and abdominal 
cavities. 

Pijjettes are very useful in removing small quantities of 
fluid from the brain cavities and from the pericardial sac. 
They should range in capacity from 1 to 100 c.c. 

A magnifying glass is useful in the examination of 
small lesions and objects (Fig. 59). 



CHAPTER IV 
EXTERNAL EXAMINATION 

Befoee the autopsy of an animal is begun, a very care- 
ful examination of its exterior should be made. 

Signs of Death or Signa Mortis. — To determine 
the presence of death one should touch the cornea of the 
eye with the finger to test its reflex sensibility, observe the 
flank and nostrils for signs of respiration, apply the ear to 
the thorax to detect cardiac action and respiratory sounds, 
and flex the extremities to determine the presence of rigor 
mortis. 

Appaeent Death. — This name is applied to a con- 
dition in which all the vital functions are depressed to the 
lowest possible degree, when only by great care in exam- 
ination of the seemingly dead body can there be detected 
feeble cardiac contractions and occasional faint respiratory 
movements, a condition accompanied by the loss of con- 
sciousness and sensibility, and by reduction of the body 
temperature. In recently born animals this condition is 
seen quite frequently, lasting perhaps for hours; in this 
connection it is perhaps due to a premature separation 
of the placenta, aspiration of the amniotic fluid, compres- 
sion of the umbilical cord or to aucemia (Kitt). 

Cooling of Cadaver or Algor Mortis. — After death 
the cadaver cools, usually in from one to twenty-four hours, 
depending upon the surrounding temperature and exposure 
to air currents. There is sometimes a post-mortem rise 
of temperature of a few degrees for several hours, due to a 
continuance of tissue metabolism, and a failure of blood 

45 



46 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

cooling or heat dissipation, following cessation of lung and 
peripheral capillary circulation. 

The Eye After Death. — No reflex action is shown 
upon touching the cornea, which is opaque and dull; the 
pupils are dilated; the eyeball has lost its tenseness and 
may be somewhat shrunken from the evaporation of fluids. 
The eyelids are usually partly closed and rigid during rigor 
mortis. 

Cada^teric Lividity or Hypostasis. — After the skin 
has been removed from an animal that has been dead for a 
few hours, bluish-red spots may be seen externally in the 
subcutis of the side upon which the animal has been lying. 
This is due to the contraction of the elastic artery walls 
after death, which forces the blood into the veins, and to the 
gravitation of the blood within the veins to the most de- 
pendent parts of the body, constitutnig hypostatic conges- 
tion or hypostasis. 

These livid spots may coalesce, forming one larger area, 
the surface of which is not elevated, as the blood remains 
within the veins and does not escape from them into the 
perivascular tissue. On cut section the blood flows freely 
from the vessel, but is not seen in the adjacent tissue. Ex- 
ternal pressure upon these areas with the fingers or with 
the heel of the hand may force the blood through the lumen 
of the vessels away from the hypostatic spot, relieving the 
tissue of its lividity. 

A hemorrhage in the same position differs from a livid 
spot in that the surface of the hemorrhage is elevated. The 
blood escapes through the blood-vessel walls into the adja- 
cent connective tissue, causing it to bulge. Pressure upon 
the hemorrhage by the fingers or heel of the hand fails to 
reduce the process, as the blood is outside the vessels in the 



EXTERNAL EXAMINATION 47 

connective tissue, and on cut section for the same reason 
blood does not flow so freely as from an area of hypostatic 
congestion. Internally hypostasis occurs in the lung, kid- 
ney, side of the great colon, CcTcum, and loops of the small 
intestines on the side upon which the animal has been lying. 

Hypostasis and hemorrhage must not be confused with 
areas of imbibition of blood pigment. These areas occur 
in the same position and develop following hypostatic con- 
gestion. They are red instead of bluish-red, not elevated, 
the color is uniformly distributed, and no blood escapes 
after incising the areas. Imbibition is one of the first signs 
of post-mortem decomposition. Upon the breaking down 
of the red blood-corpuscles in the process of decomposition 
the hccmoglobin escapes into the blood plasma, staining it 
red. This colored fluid is imbibed or soaked up by the 
tissues which have lost their vitality after death, and are 
uniformly stained red or pink. This condition may also 
be seen along the margins of congested veins. The vein and 
its branches may appear deep blue or purple in color, and 
present a margin from a quarter to a half inch in width, 
which is red near the vessel and shades out to a light pink at 
its extremity. 

Rigor Mortis. — Post-mortem muscular rigidity is a 
condition in which coagulation of the muscle albumin causes 
the muscles to become set. Rigor mortis begins immediately 
after death in some cases, and only after four to twenty- 
four hours in other conditions. It lasts usually twenty- 
four hours, but may sometimes continue forty-eight hoiu'S 
or longer; in fact it disappears when decomposition sets in. 
Post-mortem rigidity appears first in the eyelids and masse- 
ter muscles and gradually spreads backward over the entire 
cadaver; it disappears in the same manner. Rigor mortis 



48 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

sets in quickly and completely in heavy muscular animals 
which have been sick but a short time and develops by slow 
degrees in animals showing cachexia. To determine the 
presence of this condition one should flex the extremities and 
attempt to open the mouth of the cadaver. In fully devel- 
oped rigor mortis the limbs may be flexed only after the 
application of considerable force. 

Appearance of Post-mortem Decomposition. — 
Putrefaction usually occurs in from six to thirty-six hours, 
depending upon the condition of the animal at the time 
of death and the conditions of atmospheric moisture and 
temperature. The bacteria which are always present in the 
intestinal tract produce great quantities of gas by fermen- 
tation of the ingesta. The intestines become distended and 
great force is exerted against the diaphragm and abdominal 
walls. The abdomen appears round and greatly bloated; 
the skin is tight and a resonant sound is produced by tapping 
upon the belly wall. The pressure in the pelvis causes the 
rectum to protrude and evert. The force against the dia- 
phragm causes blood and froth to be forced from the lungs 
out of the nostrils. The diaphragm may rupture and the 
intestines enter the thoracic cavity. The post-mortem rup- 
ture may be distinguished from the ante-mortem ruptin'e 
by the absence of hemorrhage in the ragged margin of the 
former, since the blood has ceased to flow after death. Rigor 
mortis disappears and hypostasis develops into imbibition 
of blood coloring matter. The putrefactive bacteria pass 
from the intestines first through the blood- and lymph- 
vessels and then directly through the body structures in 
every direction, breaking down the tissues into carbonic 
acid, compounds of ammonia and water. The extremities 
are the last to decompose because situated farthest from 



EXTERNAL EXAMINATION 49 

the intestinal tract. Gas may distend the subcutis so that 
the skin crepitates upon pressure and may cause the four 
extremities to stand out from the body hke posts. Upon 
incising the skin gas escapes with considerable force. Soft 
skin over the abdomen, especially if white, turns green, 
brown and almost black ( post-mortem pigment ) , probably 
due to the action of hydrogen sulphide gas, produced by 
the effect of the putrefactive bacteria upon the iron of the 
haemoglobin, forming iron sulphide or other compounds 
of iron and sulphur. Putrid odors are given off by the 
decomposing cadaver. 

Visible Mucous Membranes. — The eyes, ears, nos- 
trils, mouth, anus, vulva, prepuce, and penis should be 
closely noted. Intense paleness may indicate internal or 
external hemorrhage, visceral congestion or oligocythemia. 
Intense yellow color indicates icterus ; deep blue or purple 
may indicate cj^anosis, which may be due to gravitation 
if the part be dependent, or to disturbances of the heart 
under various conditions. These external signs constitute 
guides for internal examination. When ana?mia is "indi- 
cated by pale, visible mucous membranes, one should 
search for signs of external hemorrhage; upon opening the 
cadaver he should look for internal hemorrhages. If these 
be absent, he should open a long bone, as the femur, and ex- 
amine the yellow bone-marrow of this hemopoietic organ. 
In dogs and cats suffering from helminthiasis the yellow 
bone-marrow is red and gelatinous, due to its active attempt 
to replenish red blood-corpuscles which are destroyed by the 
absorbed hemolytic toxin of the intestinal parasites and to 
the disturbed nutritive conditions. The indication of icterus 
by yellow-colored, visible, mucous membranes necessitates a 
close examination of the duodenum for catarrhal duodenitis, 
4 



50 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

and of the ampulla of Vater which may be greatly swollen 
and in that manner close the bile-duct. The ductus chole- 
dochus should be opened to the gall-bladder or liver and 
examined for cholangitis, gall-stones, or parasites, and the 
liver should be observed for cirrhosis, etc. The purple or 
cyanotic mucous membrane indicates that a careful exam- 
ination shoidd be made of the cardiac and respiratory 
organs. One should look for valvular lesions of the heart, 
exudative pleurisy, pneumonia, pressure upon the dia- 
phragm by liquid or distended abdominal organs. 

Natural Openings. — Sanguinolent discharge from 
the anus shows the necessity for close examination of the 
intestinal tract for hemorrhagic conditions which may be 
the seat of trouble. Bloody discharge from the nostrils indi- 
cates that the nasal passages and lungs should be carefully 
observed when the internal examination is made. Green 
liquid food material running from the nose or mouth points 
toward possible lesions of the stomach or intestines, espe- 
cially in the horse, although the stomach need not neces- 
sarily be ruptured. Purulent discharges from the nostrils 
show that the nasal sinuses, nasal mucous membrane, gut- 
tural pouches, and lungs should be carefully inspected for 
inflammatory conditions. Thus it may be seen that a careful 
examination of the visible mucous membranes and natural 
openings may produce a valuable guide to the seat of trouble 
and gi-eatly assist in making the internal examination. 

Extremities. — The limbs should be manipulated to de- 
termine the presence of rigor mortis and fractures. The 
soles of the feet should be closely inspected for street nails, 
and the walls of the hoofs for signs of operations and patho- 
logical lesions. The legs should be carefully inspected for 
exostoses and changes in the tendons, bursa, and joints. 



EXTERNAL EXAMINATION 51 

Skin. — The integimient should be carefully examined 
in all regions of the body. The color of the soft hairless 
parts is often important as an indicator of internal troubles ; 
when yellow it indicates icterus ; when green it may point to 
post-mortem decomposition. The skin must be carefully 
observed for oedematous swellings, emphysematous crepita- 
tion, bruises, scars, wounds, abrasions, blisters and stains 
from discharges or application of medicaments. Many such 
points may be a source of infection or aid in the explanation, 
of lesions to be found on internal examination. Tension of 
the skin over the abdomen should be tested to determine 
if bloat be present. 



CHAPTER V 
INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 

For class work sections should not consist of more than 
ten or fifteen students. For convenience they should be 
divided into groups. Two should be assigned to the head, 
neck and back, two to the evisceration of the thoracic and 
abdominal cavities, two to the exentration of the pelvic 
cavity, two to the legs and feet, muscles, bones and joints, 
one to weighing the organs, and one to taking notes. In 
each group one student only should do the cutting and the 
other act as his assistant, an arrangement which lessens the 
possibility of accident. Each group of students should be 
assigned to a different part of the work each day. 

Position. — Tlie horse, ass, or mule, after careful exter- 
nal examination, is placed on the right side either on the 
ground or on a table (Fig. 60). This position has many 
advantages over the dorsal position of Kitt or Schmey or 
the left side position. When an animal of one of these 
species is placed on the light side the small intestines will 
be found uppermost in the region of the left flank as the 
left or uppermost side is removed. This facilitates the 
proper examination, ligation, and removal of the small 
intestines which would be buried beneath the double colon 
and c^cimi, which are situated largely on the right side of 
the abdomen, if the animal were placed on the left side and 
the rigJit side removed. The left cardiac notch of the lungs 
is more pronounced than the right, therefore the pericar- 
dium, contents of the pericardial sac, and the heart in situ 
may be more easily examined when the necropsy is con- 

52 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 



53 



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54 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

ducted with the cadaver placed upon its right side. The 
dorsal j)osition is disadvantageous in that it necessitates 
propping the cadaver up with sharp sticks or blocks, or 
tying the feet to stakes or rings in the wall, truck stakes, 
etc. In the field the dorsal position is very impractical 
and much inconvenience may be obviated by using the right 
side position of Kitt. 

Skin. — The hide has a commercial value, and in many 
cases must be removed before the autopsy is begun. The 
autopsist should see the cadaver before the skin is removed. 
When this is not possible have the hide present so that it 
may be examined and aid in identification of the animal. 
When not obligatory do not waste the time and energy to 
remove the integument. In case the owner demands the 
hide, allow someone else to remove it. If the autopsy is 
being conducted at a reduction plant one of the employes 
will do the work, if on a farm the owner's help may be 
utilized. When circumstances compel the autopsist to 
remove the skin he should make an incision on the median 
line from the tip of the chin to the anus, avoiding the navel 
of young animals and the genitals. At right angles to this 
line an incision is made through the skin on the inside of each 
foreleg to the carpal joint and up the back of each hind leg 
to the tarsal joint. At the carpal and tarsal joints and the 
muzzle a circular incision is made through the integument. 
The skin is drawn back from the edges of the incisions, and 
a curved edged knife held almost flat against the skin during 
the operation in order that as much of the panniculus may 
remain on the body and as little on the skin as possible. 
In skinning the cadaver, the ears are cut off close to their 
base and left with the hide. An incision is continued from 
the median line along the ventral surface of the tail. By 



UN TERN AL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 55 






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56 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

applying traction the skin is readily removed from the tail 
after the body has been skinned. Great care should be 
exercised not to cut or puncture the hide, as each injury 
reduces its market value. During the process of removing 
the integument the autopsist may observe the skin for con- 
dition and lesions, and the subcutis for nutritional condition, 
oedema, hemorrhages, icterus, etc. 

When pressed for time one may quickly remove the skin 
from the uppermost side of the cadaver by placing an 
incision on the median line from the tip of the chin to the 
anus and then dissecting the hide from the uppermost side 
of the neck and abdomen but not from the legs. Raise 
the legs upward and sever them close to the body, allowing 
them to be removed with the integument of the left side 
of the cadaver. This can be done in a very short time, which 
adds to the convenience of the autopsist. At the same 
time the hide is not injured and may be removed by 
those who desire it after the autopsy has been completed 
(Fig. 61). 

Opekative Technic for the Head, Neck and Back 

Thyroid Glands. — To extirpate the thyroid glands 
made an incision six inches long on the median line of the 
neck inmiediately posterior to the larynx ( Fig. 60 ) . Cut 
through the skin, subcutis, sternothyro, and omohyoideus 
muscles down to the cartilaginous rings of the trachea. 
Seize the thyroid, draw it out and sever its attachments. 
Remove the opposite gland in the same manner. 

Jugular Furrow and Structures. — Place an inci- 
sion immediately above the jugular furrow, downward 
through the muscles to the deepest layer of cervical muscles, 
from the first rib forward to the left wing of the atlas 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 57 

(Fig. 60). Continue the incision along the border of this 
lateral wing and finish it just back of the ear. Lay open 
this incision and separate the jugular vein, carotid artery, 
oesophagus, vagus, sympathetic and recurrent nerves ( Figs. 
63, 64). The vagus and sympathetic nerves are enclosed 
in a common sheath. Examine the structures of the right 
jugular furrow when the trachea and larynx have been 
removed ( Fig. 80 ) . The anterior cervical lymph-glands lie 
along the carotid artery in the vicinity of the thyroid glands ; 
the middle cervicals in the middle of the neck on the trachea 
below the carotid artery, and the inferior cervical glands lie 
at the entrance of the thorax under the trachea. 

Parotid and Submaxillary Lymph and Salivary 
Glands. — Make an incision through the skin from the 
temporomandibular articulation just below and in front 
of the ear, to the symphysis of the mandibular rami at the 
chin, following the inferior border of the left ramus (Fig. 
60). Lay the skin back from this incision below the ear 
and in the submaxillary space. Incise and examine the 
parotid and submaxillary salivary glands and the submaxil- 
lary lymph-glands. 

Left Ramus of Mandible. — To remove the left ramus 
of the lower jaw it is necessary to sever the muscular attach- 
ments from its internal surface and to saw through the bone 
just above the symphysis. Force the knife under the left 
ramus close to the temporomandibular articulation. Press 
the cutting edge upward closely against the internal sur- 
face of that bone, and cut forward to the tip of the chin or 
symphysis of the inferior maxilla ( Fig. 62 ) . Withdraw 
the knife and make another incision from the temporomaxil- 
laiy articulation to the left commissure of the lips, down- 
ward to the teeth ( Fig. 62 ) . The temporomandibular 



58 



VETERINARY FOST-MORTEM TECHNIC 




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INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 59 

articulation and the symphysis of the maxillary rami now 
alone maintain the position of the left ramus of the lower 
jaw. Remove a section of skin and lip two inches wide from 
the left ramus just posterior to its symphysis with the right 
ramus (Fig. 62). Saw through the left ramus at this 
point, grasp it ahove the incision and raise it upward and 
backward until a complete disarticulation of the temporo- 
mandibular joint is effected. Remove the left ramus of the 
lower jaw, and expose for examination in situ the teeth, 
gums, tongue, larynx, pharynx, guttural pouches, posterior 
nares, soft and hard palates ( Figs. 63, 64 ) . 

Guttural Pouches. — To open the left guttural pouch 
locate the great cornu of the hyoid bone and make an incision 
through the walls of the pouch three inches long, following 
the posterior border of the hyoid cornu. In opening the 
right pouch place a similar incision along the right great 
cornu which lies directly under the left when the cadaver 
is lying on its right side. If the left pouch contains blood, 
pus or other fluid, sponge it out clean before incising the 
wall of the right pouch to prevent contaminating the latter 
(Fig. 64). 

Tongue, Larynx, Trachea, and (Esophagus. — The 
tongue, larynx, trachea, and the oesophagus are extirpated 
together and their discission effectuated later preparatory 
to describing their appearance. To remove them, first seize 
the left great cornu of the hyoid bone with the bone forceps 
and twist from right to left, breaking the cornu completely 
near its superior attachment, then seize the right cornu and 
break it in the same manner (Fig. 64). Next grasp the 
free portion of the tongue with the left hand, draw it out 
of the oral cavity and hold it upward while the frenum is 
severed and the glossal attachments loosened all along the 



60 



VKTEKINAKY FOST-MOHTEM TECHNIC 




■■030 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 



61 




62 . VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

organ. Place two fingers in the glottis and draw the larynx 
outward from the cadaver. Cut through the soft palate, 
carrying the incision upward and backward, then down- 
ward behind the larynx and trachea until they are severed 
from the head and neck. Incise the oesophagus, trachea, 
vessels and nerves close to the thorax, remove and place 
tongue, larynx, trachea and oesophagus upon the table 
(Figs. 80, 117). 

Decapitation. — The head is excised at the occipito- 
atloidal articulation. 

To accomplish this take a position on the dorsal side 
of the neck. Have an assistant grasp the nostrils and raise 
the chin upward and backward. With the head in this 
position incise the skin and muscles back of the right ramus 
of the inferior maxilla. Next have the head forced back- 
ward and downward in such manner that the ventral aspect 
of the occipito-atloidal joint is uppermost. Cut the ventral 
capitus muscle and the ligaments of this articulation and 
expose the spinal meninges. It is at this point that spinal 
fluid may be collected before the meninges are severed, when 
a microscopic or bacteriological examination of the fluid is 
desirable ( Fig. 83 ) . This may be done with a sterile 
pipette or hypodermic syringe. Complete the disarticula- 
tion of the joint, sever the dorsal rectus capitus muscle, 
ligamentum nuchce and skin. Remove the head to a table. 

Preparation of the Head. — Place an incision from 
the right temporomandibular articulation to the right com- 
missure of the lips, downward to the teeth. Grasp the right 
ramus at the interalveolar space and draw it upward and 
backward until the temporomandibular joint is disarticu- 
lated. To remove the skin and muscles from the head 
place an incision down the median line of the head and face 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 63 

from the occipital crest to the incisor teeth. Lay back the 
skin from this incision and remove the ears and Hps together 
with the skin of the head. Dissect the musculature away 
from the parietal, temporal, occipital and maxillary bones. 
Remove the fat from each temporal fossa, and have the 
bones especially free of muscular tissue between the tem- 
poral fossa and the foramen magnum (Fig. 65) . 

ExTiKPATiON OF THE Brain. — Various vise-like 
arrangements may be used to hold the head while the bones 
are being sawed through, although an assistant can hold 




Fig. 65. — Lines indicate incisions tc be made in exposing a tooth, nasal sinVises, tur- 
binated bones, nasal septum and brain. Incisions in supra-orbital process are made when the 
eye and optic nerve is taken out in connection with the brain. Incisions are made on either 
side of the external auditory process to remove the petrous temporal bone. 

the head sufficiently steady upon a table without the use of 
a headholder. Place the head upon its upper teeth on a 
table with the incisor teeth distal to the autopsist. Draw 
a line with the cutting edge of the knife transversely across 
the frontal bones between points represented by the anterior 
curve of the temporal fossa. This is used as a guiding line. 
Draw a second line one inch posterior to the first but parallel 
with it, then saw through the bone, following the second 
line. Draw two other lines, one on either side of the 
craniimi. Start each line at the end of the transverse inci- 
sion made with the saw, and carry it backward across the 



64 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



temporal and occipital bones parallel to the top of the 
zygomatic process, and tenninate each line in the foramen 
magnum above the occipital condyles (Fig. 65). Cut 
through the temporal and occipital bones with a curved bone 
chisel or a wide blade steel brick chisel, following these lines. 




Fig. 66. — Removal of the calvarium with the hammer-hook. 

When the three incisions described have been completed 
place the hook end of the steel hammer-hook under the 
anterior margin of the calvarium or skullcap and gently 
pull it upwards (Fig. 66). If the bones have been com- 
pletely severed the calvarium will be removed easily, ex- 
posing the meninges and brain (Fig. 67). Examine the 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 



65 



dura mater, then penetrate it with a groove director, and 
with a sharp scalpel incise it longitudinally and lay it back. 
To remove the brain work the fingers between the organ 
and the cranial bones, beginning anteriorly and taking great 




Fig. 07. — Brain exposed after removal of calvarium. 

care not to injure the olfactory lobes. Raise the anterior 
portion of the brain with the left hand, sever the efferent 
nerves and remove the cerebrum and cerebellum together. 
Sinuses, Nasai. Passages, and Septum. — To expose 
the sinuses and nasal passages it is only necessary to remove 

5 



66 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

a triangular piece of bone from one side of the face. Three 
lines are to be followed. The first, a transverse line in front 
of the orbit from the median line of the face toward the 
facial crest, to a point over the roots of the last molar teeth. 
The second line from the inferior end of the first line, for- 
ward across the maxillary bone over the roots of the teeth 
to the nasal process of the jDremaxilla. The last line is 
made from the superior end of the first incision forward to 
the anterior end of the nasal bone, longitudinally on that 




Fig. 68. — Brain removed. Left turbinated bones, part of nasal, lacrimal and maxillary bones 
removed. Lines of incision for extirpation of nasal septum. 

bone and to one side of the median line of the face, just 
missing the nasal septum ( Fig. 6.5 ) . The nasal, lacrimal 
and malar bones are sawed through on one side following 
the first line, which was made transversely in front of the 
orbit. The lacrimal and supermaxillary bones on one side 
are cut through with a heavy bone chisel or steel brick chisel 
following the second line, and along the nasal septimi fol- 
lowing the third line. With these incisions completed a 
three-cornered piece of bone may be removed from the face, 
anterior to the eye and to one side of the nasal septum, 
with a hammer-hook (Fig. 68). Examine the sinuses and 
turbinated bones. 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 



67 



After examining the turbinated bones on the side 
opened, cut them free with a chisel and remove them with 
dura tongs or rat-tooth forceps. The nasal septmii is ex- 
posed when the turbinated bones have been extirpated ( Fig. 




Fig. 69. — Longitudinal incision through the head after removal of the brain. 

68). With a sharp knife make a vertical incision through 
the septum at its superior extremity, then incise the septum 
following its peripheral attachments in such a manner as 
to extirpate it as nearly intact as possible. The opposite 
turbinated bones may be examined through this aperture. 



68 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

When necessary the other side of the face may be opened 
in a similar manner. Schmey saws the head in two parts 
following the median line but avoids the septum ( Fig. 69 ) . 

Teeth. — To remove the teeth cut the alveolar walls 
with a brick chisel, placing that instrument on the superior 
margin of the alveolar wall at a point between two teeth, 
and then force the chisel along the dental organs to the 
roots. Pry up the external walls between these incisions 
and force the teeth out of their alveoli ( Fig. 65 ) . 

Ear. — Extirpate the tympanic and petrous portion of 
the temporal bone by making deep incisions with the chisel 
one inch anterior and one inch posterior to the external 
auditory meatus ( Fig. 65 ) . Technic on the internal ear 
will be described with technic and description of organs. 

Eye. — Enucleate the eye with small, sharp-pointed scis- 
sors and forceps. Grasp the nictitans membrane with the 
forceps, draw it out and sever it. Pass the scissors into the 
orbital cavity beside the eyeball and snip it free from its 
muscular attacliments and the optic nerve. Always keep 
the scissors pointed toward the bony walls of the orbital 
cavity to avoid puncture of the eyeball. 

Removal of Spinal Cord. — The spine should be 
opened and the cord extirpated after the legs and side have 
been removed, cavities eviscerated, and the head disarticu- 
lated at the occipito-atloidal joint. In the cervical region 
all the musculature should be excised from the left half of 
the vertebrae. In the dorsal and lumbar regions from the 
first rib backward one should sever all broken ends of ribs 
close to the vertebrae with an ax. This preparation com- 
pleted one should wash and dry the ax handle and the 
hands to avoid danger of the ax slipping from one's gi'ip. 
Take a position on the dorsal side of the cadaver and swing 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 



69 




70 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

the ax from right to left, ahiiost parallel with the vertebrae 
beginning with the left wing of the atlas. The ax handle 
is so held in the hands that just as the cutting edge strikes 
the vertebra it is rotated upward away from the spine in 
such manner as to remove a small chip of bone. Continue 
to chip in one place until the canal is opened and the cord 
visible, then from this point backward continue the chipping 
process until the entire canal is opened to the coccygeal 
vertebra?. Pick up the cord in its meninges with forceps 
and with a scalpel sever all efferent nerves and remove the 
structure. Great care must be used in directing the edge of 
the ax. Should it approach the spine at a sharp angle the 
blade would be carried through the vertebra and the cord 
severed (Fig. 70). 

Peripherai. Nerves. — Peripheral nerves must be dis- 
sected out along anatomical lines for examination. 

Operative Technic for the Thoracic and Abdominal 

Cavities 

Front Leg. — To remove the front leg take a position 
on the ventral side anterior to the limb facing the cadaver. 
Place an incision just back of the shoulder, from the crest 
of the back to the sternmn, cutting downward through the 
thoracic muscles to the ribs but not through the intercostal 
muscles. Next make an incision immediately in front of the 
shoulder from the top of the neck to the manubrium or point 
of the sternum. Have an assistant raise the leg upward 
then sever it from the body by cutting through the pec- 
toral muscles from the sternum to the superspinous pro- 
cesses (Fig. 62). Examine the axillary nerves and blood- 
vessels before dividing them, then cut downward deeply 
in such manner as to leave as much muscle with the leg 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 71 

and as little on the ribs as possible. The assistant should 
bear upward continuously during the cutting and finally 
when the leg is loosened force it completely over on the 
dorsal side (Fig. 63). There it should be cut free and be 
removed to a table where the lymph-glands, joints, tendons, 
tendon sheaths, foot structures, etc., may later be exposed 
and inspected. 

Hind Leg. — To remove the hind leg remain on the 
ventral side in front of that extremity. Start the first inci- 
sion just back of the external angle of the ilium; cut down- 
ward and forward toward the flank, through the tensor 
fascia lata, panniculus in the fold of the flank, and through 
the skin on the inner side of the leg close to the abdomen 
as far as the penis or mammary gland. The next incision 
is horizontal. It is made parallel to and three inches above 
the median line from the skin inward to the coxofemoral 
articulation ( Fig. 62 ) . -Place the cutting edge of the knife 
against the skin three inches above the median line, handle 
toward the tail, point toward the abdomen, and cut inward 
toward the coxofemoral joint, taking great care that the 
point of the knife does not puncture the abdominal wall. 
When the joint is opened the air rushing in causes a loud 
sucking sound. Cut through the ligamentum teres, back- 
ward and upward over the ischial tuberosity, then down- 
ward behind the acetabulum. During the incision have 
the leg held straight up and forced toward the dorsal side 
of the cadaver until it falls. To remove the leg entirel}^ 
cut deeply into the musculature following a line marked 
by the external angle of the ilium, the acetabulum and the 
ischial tuberosity. Allow as much of the hip and thigh 
muscle to be removed with the leg as possible without cut- 
ting into the great sciatic ligament (Fig. 63) . 



72 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

The following muscles are cut through in removing 
the hind leg in this manner: tensor fascia lata, panniculus 
of the flank, gracillus, sartorius, pectineus, adductors, semi- 
membranosis, quadratus femoris, obturator externus, i-ectus 
femoris, capsularis, psoas major, illiacus, obturator inter- 
nus, semitentinosis, biceps femoris, and the gluteal muscles. 

Xiphoid-pubic Incision. — After the left fore and 
hind legs have been removed dissect the penis or mammary 
gland away from the abdomen and lay it behind the right 
hind leg ( Fig. 63 ) . Do not cut through the penis, and 
in stallions do not cut the spermatic vessels if the urogenital 
tract is to be removed intact. Next make an incision 
through the skin and subcutis on the median line, from the 
pubis to the xiphoid cartilage (Figs. 63, 71). If the in- 
tegument has previously been removed, draw a line with 
the sharp edge of the knife along the superficial surface 
of the abdominal muscles between the points indicated to 
be used as a guide. Press against the sternum with the 
thumb to locate the xiphoid cartilage. At a point one 
inch posterior to it make an incision two inches long. This 
cut is difficult to make without puncturing an intestine, 
especially if the cadaver be bloated. Stand back of the right 
foreleg with the left side against the ventral surface of the 
cadaver. Hold the knife in the right hand with a full hand 
grip, as though to cut bread. Place the curved portion 
of the cutting edge near the point against the median line 
of the abdomen just back of the xiphoid cartilage and press 
it into the muscle only an eighth of an inch or less (Fig. 
71 ) . Remove the knife and inspect the incision. The 
fibres will tear at the point of incision in direct proportion 
to the degree of gas pressure within the abdomen. Place 
the forefinger of the left hand in the incision and attempt 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 



73 




74 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



to enlarge it. Again apply the knife cautiously and with 
very little pressure until the tissue can be felt to yield a 
little, when the knife is again withdrawn and the finger 
inserted. This precedure is carefully continued until the 
finger, not the knife, first passes completely through the 
abdominal musculature, then the finger should be forced 




Fig. 72. — Insertion of first two fingers of left liaml in abdomen after making incision indicated 

111 I'll.. 71. 

through the peritoneum. The point of the knife should 
never be forced through the abdominal wall at this point 
first, as a puncture of the intestine invariably results. 
After the index-finger has been inserted, the opening should 
be enlarged so as to admit the second finger also. Insert 
the first two fingers of the left hand, turn the backs toward 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 75 

the xiphoid cartilage, bend the fingers to make an angle 
with the apex formed by the knuckles; place the ends of 
the first two fingers against the peritonemii of the abdom- 
inal wall one on either side of the median line (Fig. 72). 
Hold the knife in the right hand, cutting edge toward the 
pubis. Place the point in the opening about half an inch, 




Fig. 73. — Proper position of hands and knife in beginning the xiphoid-pubic incision 
First two fingers of the left hand are inserted in the opening made in the abdominal wall in the 
manner indicated in Fig. 72. The knuckles of the first two fingers protect the intestines from 
the knife. The point of the knife, -w-ith cutting edge outward, is inserted between the fingers and 
two inches of the belly wall incised by a quick outward incision. This is continued to the pubis. 

between the first two fingers of the left hand close to their 
base (Fig. 73). Cut slowly through the abdominal wall 
from the xiphoid cartilage to the pubis along the median 
line, keeping the knife in this position. The knuckles of 
the first two fingers of the left hand are so pressed against 
the intestines during the incision as to protect the latter 



76 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

from the point of the knife, thus preventing puncture of an 
intestine, escape of the fecal matter into the peritoneal 
cavit}^ and possible masking of lesions. When the knife is 
very sharp and the autopsist experienced, the first finger 
of the left hand may be inserted in the incision, back of the 
ensiform cartilage, together with the knife, and the end of 
the finger placed on the back of the knife so that it pro- 
trudes over the point to prevent it puncturing an intestine. 
In this position the incision through the abdominal wall 
from sternum to pelvis may be made with one long, smooth 
motion of the arms. 

Pubic-lumbar Incision. — When the intestines are 
distended with gas, portions of the small gut, the free end 
of the double colon, or the point of the cascum may protrude 
after the xiphoid-pubic incision has been made. When 
practical, draw the free portion of the double colon out of 
the abdomen to lessen the tension and facilitate the next 
incision ( Fig. 75 ) . The pubic-lumbar incision is made from 
the pubis upward in front of the external angle of the ilium 
to the lateral processes of the lumbar vertebrae immediately 
posterior to the left kidney (Fig. 62). Great care must 
be taken in this operation to prevent puncturing an intes- 
tine. Stand in front of the right hind leg, face toward the 
ventral surface of the cadaver. Grasp the abdominal wall 
six inches anterior to the pubis with the left hand, placing 
the thumb in the xiphoid-pubic incision. Take the knife 
by the end of the handle with the right hand in such man- 
ner that the blade is at right angles to the forearm, cutting 
edge away from the autopsist, point upward. Grasp the 
handle firmly with the third and fourth fingers and thumb 
and extend the first and second fingers straight out from 
the hand (Fig. 74). Carry the handle of the knife into 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 



77 



the abdominal cavity close to the pubis, butt foremost, 
cutting edge against the upper lip of the xiphoid incision, 
point of the knife outside of the abdomen extending toward 
the right shoulder of the autopsist ( Fig. 75 ) . Draw the 
belly wall tight with the left hand and cut through it toward 
the lumbar vertebra% in front of the external angle of the 
ilium, with that part of the blade closest to the handle, 
keeping the point entirely out of the abdomen ( Fig. 75 ) . 
The butt of tlie loiife 
handle and the first two 
fingers should extend 
straight out from the 
hand and precede the 
cutting edge of the knife, 
forcing the intestines 
awaj^ from the abdomi- 
nal wall in such manner 
as to prevent their being 
cut. The spermatic cord 
of the male should not be 
injured, but should be 
dissected from the in- 
guinal canal and to- 
gether with the testicles be placed in the pelvic cavity to be 
removed later during the exenteration of that region. 

After the xiphoid-pubic and pubic-lumbar incisions have 
been completed the free end of the double colon, the caecum 
and the small intestines will usually fall out of the abdom- 
inal cavity if they have not previously been drawn out ( Fig. 
76) . Should they not protrude of their own accord apply 
steady, gentle traction to the free end of the double colon 
until it can be withdrawn, after carefully inspecting the 




Fig. 74. — Proper manner of holding knife when 
making pubic-lumbar incision. First two fingers are 
extended to force the intestines away from the cutting 
edge of the knife, thus avoiding accidental incision 
of a gut and contamination of abdominal contents. 



78 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 




INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 79 






o 3 - fi-? 




80 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

topographical relationship of the viscera exposed by placing 
the free flap (operculum) of the abdominal wall up over 
the ribs (Fig. 77). 

Vacuity of the Thorax. — After the free portion of 
the double colon has been withdrawn from the abdomen and 
forced backward toward the pubis as far from the ensiform 
cartilage as possible ( Fig. 77 ) , so that the ax will not punc- 
ture it when the ribs are cut, the autopsist should place his 
right hand in the abdominal cavity with the palm against the 
diaphragm to test the vacuity of the thorax. When the 
abdominal surface is concave and tight the thoracic surface 
must be convex. This is the physiological position and 
indicates that the thorax is a vacuum. When the abdominal 
surface of the diaphragm is convex it indicates that air, 
gas or liquid is in the thoracic cavity. Air may enter the 
pleural cavity through an external wound or following 
rupture of bronchi, alveoli and the visceral pleura. Gas 
may form in the thorax from the action of bacteria either 
before or after death. In cases of hydrothorax, according 
to F. Smith, gallons of fluid may be contained in the thorax 
and not force the diaphragm into such a position that the 
abdominal surface will be convex, while Kitt maintains that 
quantities of fluid in the thorax will arch the diaphragm 
toward the abdomen. A further test of thoracic vacuity, 
pneumothorax or hydrothorax is accomplished by making 
a puncture half an inch long between the sixth and seventh 
ribs. This incision should be made with the point of a 
knife through the intercostal muscles at a point equally 
distant from the ends of the ribs, after the diaphragm has 
been palpated. As soon as the point of the knife has been 
withdrawn place the index-finger in the aperture as far as 
the first joint and draw upwards slightly to open one end 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 




82 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

of the incision. If the thorax is a vacuum air will rush in 
past the finger, imparting a cold sensation to back of the 
digit. If vacuity of the thorax is not present fluid, air or 
odoriferous gas may pass out by the finger, or there may 
simply be a failure of air to rush into the thorax through 
the opening. When there is a great quantity of fluid in 
the thoracic cavity it will often escape through the incision 
as soon as the knife has been withdrawn, or immediately 
the ax severs the ribs. 

Ribs. — Place a line with the sharp edge of the knife 
across the lower part of the chest from the inferior end of 
the first costa to the xiphoid cartilage (Fig. 77) . This line 
is to be followed with the saw or ax in cutting the ribs. 
To obviate incising muscular tissue with saw or ax seize 
the pectoral muscles which remain on the lower part of the 
chest, pass the knife between them and the ribs and lay 
the tissue over the edge of the sternum (Figs. 63, 77). 
Remove a triangular piece of abdominal wall six inches long 
extending from the ensiform cartilage backward along the 
border of the ribs (Figs. 76, 77). We remove the side, 
following a method similar to that of Czokor. 

To cut through the ribs with an ax is decidedly more 
expeditious than to saw through them, although some 
pathologists prefer the latter method. Great care must be 
taken not to cut into the pericardium and heart, as the 
pericardial fluid would become stained with blood from 
the ax, or perhaps a quantity would escape and prevent 
accurate measurement of the fluid. It is not impossible 
that a pleuritic exudate might enter such an accidental 
incision, contaminate the pericardial fluid and render im- 
possible correct judgment of the nature of the fluid as it 
appeared before the sac were accidentally opened. After 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 83 

washing and drying the hands and ax handle so that it will 
not slip, take a position on the ventral side of the cadaver 
in front of the right foreleg facing the thorax. Aim to fol- 
low the line previously made with the knife from the xiphoid 
cartilage to the inferior end of the first rib (Fig. 77). 
Swing the ax from right to left, nipping each rib with two 
inches of the anterior corner of the blade only. So direct 
the ax that the blade will be carried on out of the thorax 
if more force is used than that necessary to sever one rib, 
and so that the blade will not be carried downward through 
the ribs into the heart. In this manner sever the inferior 
ends of the ribs from the xiphoid cartilage to the first costa. 
To prepare the superior extremities of the ribs for 
section with the ax, take a position on the dorsal side of the 
cadaver. Cut through the musculature with a knife, diag- 
onally from the superior end of the first rib to the seventh, 
striking the latter at a point six inches from its vertebra. 
Trim the musculatiu'e away from the ribs from this incision 
to their superior ends. From the seventh to the eighteenth 
ribs make an incision six inches above and parallel with the 
crest of the back. Cut downward to the ribs, pass the knife 
under the longissimus dorsi and remove all muscle from 
the angle made by the ribs and vertebral spinous processes 
from the seventh to the eighteenth. A portion of each rib 
from the first to the eighteenth will now be free from muscu- 
lar tissue, which greatly facilitates cutting through them 
(Fig. 78). This preparation completed, the hands and ax 
should be washed and dried as before and each rib cut 
through with two inches of the anterior corner of the blade. 
The line followed by the ax should be that first made with 
the knife from the top of the first to a point on the seventh 
costa approximately six inches from its vertebra, and from 



84 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 




INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 



85 



the seventh to the eighteenth in a straight hne parallel to 
and four to six inches above the crest of the back. After 
each rib has been severed press upon the side, close to the 
incision, with the heel of the left hand. At points where 
it does not give under this pressure apply the ax again 
until the ribs are severed. 




Fig. 79. — After oonipk'tion of ventral and dor.^al rih-inri.sions left side is elevated and 
the diaphragm incised clot-e to the ribs and the side freed. Line of incision in the diaphragm. 



To complete the removal of the side the autopsist should 
stand on the ventral side of the cadaver and cut the dia- 
phragm close to the ribs from the last costa to the xiphoid 
cartilage ( Fig. 79 ) . During this operation an assistant 
should stand on the dorsal side of the cadaver, reach over the 



86 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

side, place a hook under the ventral border of the ribs, and 
draw the side upward as the diaphragm is being cut, until 
the ribs and abdominal wall drop over the dorsal side of the 
body, when it may be cut free and removed. 

When the thoracic and abdominal cavities have thus 
been exposed and at the time they were being opened the 
autopsist should carefully note the presence of excessive 
fluid, clots, gas and foreign bodies and the position of the 
organs. Virchow says that no organ should be removed 
until its exact relationship to other organs has been deter- 
mined. In excising an organ place the knife under the 
attachments and cut upward whenever possible to avoid 
cutting adjacent structures. 

Omentum. — Seize the omentum and remove it with 
the hands by traction. 

Single Colon. — Extend the hand into the pelvic 
cavity; seize the single, small, or floating colon, or the 
abdominal portion of the rectum as it is sometimes called, 
near the point at which it enters the pelvis; squeeze the 
contents in either direction for a distance of six inches and 
apply two ligatures, called a double ligature, one on either 
side of the empty space, then cut through the intestine be- 
tween the ligatures ( Fig. 80 ) . This prevents the escape 
of fecal matter into the peritoneal cavity. Next force the 
floating colon out of the abdominal cavity upward over 
the external angle of the ilium. Continue forcing this gut 
over the dorsal side of the cadaver until no more can be 
extruded, due to its connection with the terminal portion 
of the double colon ( Fig. 80 ) . When the entire floating 
colon has been forced over the external angle of the ilimii 
the rectoduodenal ligament will be found directly over the 
left kidney ( Fig. 80 ) . This ligament is a guide to the 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 



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88 VETER1^ARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

points at which double Hgatures are made on the jejunum 
and the anterior part of the abdominal rectum or single 
colon. A double ligature is applied to the single colon 
close to the rectoduodenal ligament and another double liga- 
ture on the jejunum close to that ligament ( Fig. 80 ) . Cut 
between these ligatures, then remove the single colon by 
incising its mesentery close to the attachment of the latter 
to the sublumbar region. 

Ligations. — To ligate an intestine, double a stout piece 
of twine. 12 inches long. Force the loop end under the gut 
and bring it up on the opposite side. Push the two free 
ends through the loop. Draw this slipknot tightly around 
the intestine. Divide the free ends and carry them around 
the gut in opposite directions, bringing them to the top 
again where they are tied with a surgeon's knot. 

Small Intestines. — Arrange the folds of the small 
intestine properly on its mesentery and examine the latter 
carefully. Seize the jejunum with the left hand at the 
rectoduodenal ligament where it has been severed from the 
duodenum. Pull upward and outward on the jejunum 
with the left hand until the mesentery is tight, then cut 
through the latter close to the gut, using great care not to 
injure the intestinal wall (Fig. 81). While cutting the 
mesentery with the knife draw the intestine out of the abdo- 
men and allow it to fall to the floor at the autopsist's left 
side. When a portion of intestine equal to the length of 
the arm has been drawn out and severed from the mesen- 
tery, drop it and take a new gi'ip closer up, and thus con- 
tinue drawing the intestine out and cutting it from the 
mesentery until the caecum is reached. Here apply a double 
ligature (Fig. 80) and cut through the ileum, thus com- 
pleting the removal of all the small intestine except the 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 89 



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90 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

duodenum, which is left with the stomach and removed 
later with that organ. 

Epiploic Foramen of Winslow. — Place the left hand 
in the concavity made by the small curvature of the stomach, 
follow the gi'oove in the liver and trace the posterior vena 
cava from the point where it passes into the substance of 
the liver back to the pancreas and portal vein. The fin- 
gers may be passed through a slit-like opening at this point 
called the epiploic foramen of Winslow. It is formed by 
the caudate lobe of the liver, posterior vena cava, pancreas, 
gastropancreatic fold and portal vein. One should be able 
to locate the epiploic foramen readily as the jejunum may 
pass through this opening, j)roducing a hernia (Bruck- 
nmller, Cadeac). 

Bile-duct. — To examine the ductus choledochus raise 
the stomach upward by grasping its wall on the great curva- 
ture and forcing it toward the vertebra?. The duct will 
be seen as a flat band one-half to three-quarters of an inch 
wide extending from the liver to the duodenum. It may 
be opened with a sharp-pointed scissors. The pancreatic 
duct enters the duodenum with the bile-duct. There is no 
free portion of the pancreatic duct. After the bile-duct 
has been examined allow the stomach to fall back into place. 

Spleen. — Grasp the spleen by the posterior basal angle 
which points toward the kidney. Draw the organ forward 
and cut through the suspensory ( splenophrenic and spleno- 
nephritic) ligament and the gastrosplenic omentum and 
remove it from the cavity. 

Left Kidney. — To remove the left kidney force the 
fingers through the perirenal fat, pass them around the 
periphery of the organ, draw slightly upon it until the 
renal vessels and ureter are exposed, then hold the kidney 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 91 

in the left hand and pass a knife under the ureter and renal 
blood-vessels between the organ and the sublumbar muscles 
and cut upward, severing it from the body. If it is desired 
to examine the whole urogenital system intact, cut through 
the renal blood-vessels but not through the ureter, then 
place the kidney and ureter in the pelvic cavity until the 
organs of that region are extirpated. 

Left Adrenal. — The left adrenal gland lies directly 
under the left kidney, and is plainly visible when that organ 
has been removed. Do not attempt to cut it loose, but force 
the fingers under and around it, carefully tearing it away 
from its attachments. This organ is very friable and is 
easily split or broken even shortly after the death of a 
healthy animal. 

Duodenum. — There is danger of breaking the duode- 
num away from the stomach if it be allowed to remain in its 
natural S -curve position while the large intestines are being 
drawn out of the abdominal cavity. To obviate this, place 
the left hand between the stomach and the double colon, 
force it downward until the knuckles are pressed against 
the ribs. Push the hand and arm backward under the 
duodenimi, and vessels and ligaments that attach to the 
large intestines. When the hand has reached a position 
back of the kidney close to the sublumbar muscles, force it 
upwards to the rectoduodenal ligament. Grasp the duo- 
denum with the left hand at this point where it has been 
severed from the jejunum, and draw it downward under 
the colic vessels and forward towards the stomach. As the 
duodenum is being drawn forward under the colic vessels 
by the left hand, the right hand, introduced back of the 
mesenteric artery, should follow the gut along and tear it 
loose from its attachments so that the traction exerted by 



92 _ VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

the left hand will not break it. The duodenum when pulled 
out of the S-curve position should be laid up over the lungs 
still attached to the stomach until the large intestine has 
been removed. The duodenum is approximately 1-1.25 
metres (3'-4') long and in order that the left hand may- 
reach the end of that intestine the arm must enter between 
the stomach and double colon as far as the shoulder. Dur- 
ing this operation tlie autopsist may stand astride the double 
colon and lean well forward. Should any pathological 
alteration of the intestine be felt in passing the hand along 
under the duodenum, the latter should be left in situ and 
a very careful effort be made to remove the colon and caecum 
without injury to this portion of the small intestines. After 
the duodenum has been laid over the lungs, complete the 
preparations for removal of colon and caecum by gathering 
up the mesentery from whicli the small intestines have })een 
removed, pass a knife under it and cut upward through it. 
This will expose the origin of the fifteen or twenty small 
blood-vessels which supplied this mesentery and the small 
intestines. 

Double Colon and C^cum. — The double colon and 
ca?cum will now be found extending from the abdomen at 
right angles to the line of the back ; and the free extremity, 
or pelvic flexure of the great colon, resting on the floor 
( Fig. 80 ) . The double colon and the ca?cum have several 
attachments: (1) the blood-vessels which supply them; 
(2) the mesocolon or ligamentous band which attaches them 
to the sublumbar region; (3) the pancreas. The first two 
are the principal structures which connect the colon and 
caecum with the body. Only the large blood-vessels should 
be cut through. The other structures should be separated 
with the fingers. Great care should be taken to leave as 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 



93 



much of the anterior mesenteric artery with the aorta as 
possible, so that it may be opened later and examined for 
thrombi which are due to embryos of the sclerostomum 
hidentatum and occur in 90 per cent, of horses. 

To loosen the colon and csecum from their attachments, 
first grasp the stump of the single colon close to the great 




Fig. 82. — Left hand graspiiiK mosentfric vessels at point oi attachment to the dotible 
colon and csecum. Knife held under the mesenteric blood-vessels at the point they should be 
severed, thus leaving six inches of vessels attached to the aorta for examinations later. 

colon with the right hand and draw it toward the autopsist. 
Force the thumb of the left hand between the pancreas and 
colon and gradually work the pancreas loose from its posi- 
tion on the intestine, leaving it with the liver. Next grasp 
the mesenteric artery in the two hands between the aorta 
and the intestines, in the same manner that one would grasp 



94 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

a cylinder if he were to span its circumference, using the 
thumbs and forefingers of both hands. Tear the hgamen- 
tous bands and small blood-vessels by pulling laterally from 
the large mesenteric artery. Do not pull downward from 
the aorta toward the intestines or the mesenteric artery will 
rupture. When the ligaments and smaller blood-vessels 
have been torn away, circle the mesenteric artery with the 
thumb and forefinger of the left hand. Slide the left hand 
downward on the mesenteric artery close to the colon, pass 
a knife under the vessels with the blade close to the gut 
and cut upward through the vessels ( Fig. 82 ) . This should 
leave from four to five inches of mesenteric vessels hanging 
from the aorta. When the mesenteric arteries have been cut, 
the colon and caecum will fall out of the abdominal cavity to 
the floor. They should be taken to a clean space on the 
floor and opened according to methods described later. 

Right Adrenal. — Grasp the stump of the mesenteric 
artery with the right hand and raise it upward. Directly 
beneath this blood-vessel and closely applied to the right 
kidney the right adrenal will be found. Force the fingers 
around it and gradually tear it from its position without the 
use of a knife. 

Right Kidney. — To remove this organ force the fin- 
gers under the perirenal fat and " shell " the organ out in 
the same manner employed with the left kidney. Place a 
knife under the ureter and blood-vessels and cut upward 
through them. 

Stomach. — Force the first two fingers of the right 
hand through the diaphragm close to the stomach above the 
oesophagus at the point where that organ penetrates the 
diaphragm. When the fingers have penetrated into the 
thorax grasp the oesophagus and draw it into the abdom- 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 95 

inal cavity about six inches, apply a double ligature, place 
a knife under the oesophagus and cut upward through that 
structure. The gastrophrenic ligament and gastrohepatic 
omentum should be torn through with the fingers, and the 
stomach, together with the duodenum, extirpated. 

Liver. — The liver may be held away from the dia- 
phragm and the strong ligaments which form its attach- 
ments cut through with a knife. Small ligaments may 
be torn with the fingers. The principal attachments 
of the liver are the coronary, falciform, roimd, right 
lateral, and left lateral ligaments. Usually the hepatic 
organ is allowed to remain in the cavity until the exentera- 
tion of the abdomen and thorax have been effectuated. 
Then the liver, together with the diaphragm from which 
it is later dissected, may be extirpated. To remove the 
liver and diaphragm together, after the heart and lungs 
have been taken from the thorax, draw the diaphragm tight 
by applying traction with the left hand, then circle it close 
to the ribs with a knife, starting close to the aorta. Great 
care should be taken not to cut the aorta or anterior mesen- 
teric artery during this process. 

Pancreas. — The pancreas is removed with the liver. 
This organ is not frequently affected and does not manifest 
the same degree of importance as most organs at the post- 
mortem table. 

Pericardial Sac and Fluid. — Preparatory to open- 
ing the pericardial sac and examining the quantity and 
character of the pericardial fluid, the surface of the peri- 
cardium, the knife, and the hands of the autopsist should 
be carefully washed. This is to prevent blood from any 
of these sources contaminating the fluid and thus deceiving 
the autopsist as to its true character. 



96 



VETEEINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 




3 <u 

gSaQ5 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 



97 



Place a longitudinal incision through the pericardium 
from the base to the apex of the heart ( Fig. 85 ) . Do not 
cut into the heart muscle or blood may escape into the peri- 
cardial fluid. Next draw one lip of the incision aside with 
the finger and examine the character of the fluid. When this 
has been determined one does not have to be so careful about 



X. 




Fig. 84. — Method of exposing contents of pericardial sac. 

contaminating the liquid. To determine the quantity place 
the right hand in the sac, grasp the apex of the heart and 
raise that organ upward completely out of the sac (Fig. 
84) . Have an assistant remove the fluid with a pipette or 
dip it out with a cup kept for that purpose and place it in 
a graduate. After one has done this a few times he can 

7 



98 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



estimate the quantity of fluid present with a fair degi'ee of 
accuracy without measuring it. After the fluid has been 




Fig. 85. — View of thorax after left side has been taken off and left apical lobe turned 
back. Line of incision through pericardium. Superior, anterior and inferior lines of incision 
for ablation of heart and lungs. Superior line is through posterior mediastinum, below the 
aorta from the diaphragm forward to the arch of the aorta, and upward through the aorta. 
At this point the left hand is inserted and right apical lobe of the lung drawn out and held, 
right hand with knife crossed over the left and the incision continued forward a few inches 
through the anterior mediastinum above the aorta. Maintaining the same position the anterior 
incision is made downward and forward through all structures entering the thorax from the 
neck. The right apical lobe of the lung is released and the inferior incision made through the 
inferior mediastinum close to the sternum from before to behind. 

taken out or estimated, allow the hearj; to drop back into its 
proper position. 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 99 

Heart and Lungs. — The heart, pericardium, lungs, 
bronchial and mediastinal lymph-glands, and thoracic por- 
tion of the oesophagus are excised together. The first in- 
cision is made through the posterior mediastinum imme- 
diately below the aorta, from the diaphragm forward to the 
arch of the aorta. Turn the cutting edge of the knife 
toward the vertebrae and cut through the aorta two or three 
inches from the heart. From this point to the first rib place 
an incision through the anterior mediastinum immediately 
below the vertebrge. Withdraw the knife, insert the left 
hand, grasp the anterior lobe of the right lung, draw it out 
and hold it away from the trachea. Cross the right hand 
over the left and cut downward through the trachea, oesoph- 
agus and other structures that enter the thorax from the 
cervical region. By holding the apical lobe of the right 
lung in the left hand the possibility of cutting it is avoided. 
The thoracic organs having been severed from their supe- 
rior and anterior attachments, one may now cut through the 
pericardial and mediastinal attachments to the ste-rnum, 
completing the inferior incision (Fig, 85). Readjust the 
heart and lungs in their proper position as nearly as pos- 
sible. Hold the left forearm in a horizontal position and 
point the hand downward in such a manner that the hand 
is at right angles to the forearm. Maintain the hand and 
arm in this position, place the hand between the diaphragm 
and lungs at a j)oint j ust under the aorta. Permit the ends 
of the fingers to constantly touch the ribs and keep the hand 
in contact with the diaphragm. Now draw the hand from 
the aorta to the sternum. When the latter point has been 
reached there will be found in the crook of the left wrist the 
posterior vena cava and phrenic nerves (Fig. 86). Place 
a knife under these structures and cut upward through 



100 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



them. The thoracic organs are now free from their 
superior, anterior, inferior and posterior attachments. To 
test this pass the hand around the periphery of these organs. 
To remove the heart and lungs from the thorax, place the 




Fig. 86. — View of thorax after left side has been removed. Superior, anterior, and 
inferior incisions for ablation of heart and lungs have been completed. Blood has escaped 
from cut vessels, partially fillins thoracic cavity. Heart and lungs have gra\-itated backward 
against the diaphragm. A knife has been placed under the posterior vena cava and phrenic 
nerves to better expose them. Line of incision for posterior incision. 

right hand behind the heart, palm against the m^^ocardium, 
and gi'asp the large blood-vessels between the heart and 
lungs. Raise the organs upward, balance the lungs on the 
forearm, and carry them to the tub (Fig. 87) . 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 101 

Blood-vessels. — Place an enterotome in the aorta at 
the point at which it was severed and cut as close to the 
vertebrae as possible. Open the entire aorta and always 




Fig. 87. — Proper manner of grasping large blood-vessels between heart and lungs in removing 
them from thorax or from sink to table. 

open the iliac arteries as far as the enterotome can be forced. 
Thrombi at the origin of the iliac arteries are not uncom- 
mon. Carefully open the coeliac axis, renal, anterior and 



102 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

posterior mesenteric arteries with the enterotome. Parasitic 
thrombi are present in the anterior mesenteric artery of 90 
per cent, of horses (Figs. 88, 89). 

Pleura and Peritoneum. — The right abdominal wall 
should be cut through from the pubis downward to the 
ribs to permit drainage, and the thoracic and peritoneal 
cavities flushed out with water and the inside of the large 
blood-vessels washed. This facilitates the examination of 




Fig. 88. — View of cadaver after evisceration of thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. Right 
posterior abdominal wall cut through, abdominal flap laid down and cavities washed out.. Aorta 
mesenteric, and iliac blood-vessels opened. Technic on neck, muscles, right carpal and tarsal 
joints completed. 

the ribs on the right side, vertebrae, pleura, peritoneum, con- 
dition of the large blood-vessels, the inguinal canal and ring 
(Figs. 83, 88, 89). 

Lymph-glands. — The visceral lymph-glands should be 
incised when the technic is performed on their corresponding 
organs. Of the parietal lymph-glands the lumbar glands 
may be found along the aorta, the internal iliac at the bifur- 
cation of the aorta, and the external iliac at the bifurcation 
of the circumflex iliac artery where they should be incised. 

Psoas Muscles. — Discission of the psoas muscles should 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 



103 



be made in vertical lines half an inch apart with a sharp 
knife (Fig. 83). 

Ovaries and Uterus. — These organs may remain in 
situ until the organs of the pelvic cavity are removed. 




Fig. 89. — Aorta, mesenteric and iliac blood-vessels properly opened. 



SUMMARY OF THORAX AND ABDOMEN 

Position: Place horse, ass, or mule on the right side. 

Skin: Remove the skin only when desirable com- 
pulsory. 

Foreleg: Place a long, deep incision before and behind 
the leg, raise it up and sever it close to the body. 

Hind leg: Start an incision back of the external angle 
of the ilium, cut through the tensor fascia lata, through the 
skin on the inner side of the leg, into the coxofemoral joint. 



104 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

backward over the ischial tuberosity, then sever it close 
to the body. 

Penis or mammary gland: Dissect the penis or mam- 
mary gland from the abdomen and lay it over the leg. Do 
not cut through the penis. 

Xiphoid-pubic incision : Make an incision through belly 
wall along the median line from the xiphoid cartilage to 
the pubis, protecting the intestines with the fingers. 

Pubic-lumbar incision : Gut through the abdominal wall 
from the pubis to the lumbar vertebrae, forcing the butt of 
the knife into the abdomen first and protecting the intes- 
tines with the two fingers of the right hand. 

Position of organs: Note the position of all organs in 
the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Observe the external 
appearance of all thoracic and abdominal structures. 

Foreign material: Determine the quantity and charac- 
ter of fluids and foreign substances in the thorax and 
abdomen. 

Diajihragm: Feel of the diaphragm to determine the 
vacuity of the thorax. 

Intercostal puncture : Puncture the thorax between the 
sixth and seventh ribs and determine whether air enters or 
escapes from the cavity. 

Preparation of ribs for section: (a) Draw a line with 
the sharp edge of a knife from the inferior end of the first 
rib to the xiphoid cartilage. 

( b ) Remove pectoral muscles from the inferior portion 
of the thorax. 

(c) Extirpate a piece of abdominal wall back of the 
xiphoid cartilage along the border of the ribs. 

(d) Clear away the musculature from the superior 
end of the ribs from the first to the seventh inclusive. 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 105 

Clear away the musculature of the back from the seventh 
to the last rib for a space six inches above the line of the 
back. 

Ribs: Cut through the ribs from the xiphoid cartilage 
to the inferior end of the first rib and from the superior end 
of the first rib to the last rib. From the seventh costa back- 
ward to the last rib place a line of incision a few inches 
above the vertebrae. 

Test incision of ribs: Press downward in the ribs with 
the heel of the hand along the incision made with the ax to 
see if all ribs have been severed. 

Diaphragm: Have an assistant hold the ribs up with a 
hook, then cut through the diaphragm from the last rib 
to the xijjhoid cartilage close to its costal attachment. 

Remove side : Push the entire side upward and allow it 
to fall back of the spine to the floor. 

Thoracic contents: Observe the presence of foreign 
bodies or liquid material in the thorax and note the position 
and character of thoracic viscera. 

Omentum : Tear away the omentum with the fingers. 

Ligations: Apply four double ligatures to the intes- 
tines six inches apart after squeezing the intestinal contents 
in either direction from the point of ligation: (a) on the 
small colon at its entrance to the pelvis; [b) on the small 
colon at the rectoduodenal ligament; (c) on the jejunum 
close to the rectoduodenal ligament; {d) on the ileum at 
its entrance to the caecum. 

To ligate an intestine double a stout piece of twine 12 
inches long. Force the loop under the gut. Bring it up 
on the opposite side. Push the two free ends through the 
loop and draw this slipknot tightly around the intestine. 
Divide the free ends and carry them around the gut in 



106 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

opposite directions, finally bringing them to the top again 
where they are tied with a surgeon's knot. 

Small colon : Divide the gut between the ligatures, cut 
through the mesentery close to the body and remove small 
colon. 

Jejunum and ileum: Arrange jejunum and ileum in 
proper order on their mesentery and cut between the liga- 
tures. Trim the intestines from the mesentery by pulling 
on the intestine with the left hand and cutting through the 
mesentery close to the gut with a knife held in the right hand. 
Start at the jejunum and pull and cut at the same time. 
In this manner six feet of intestine may be removed at each 
incision through the mesentery without injurj^ to the gut, 
if the intestine has been arranged evenly and freely. 

Epiploic foramen : Follow the posterior vena cava back- 
ward and hook the finger into a slit formed principally by 
the pancreas, portal vein, and posterior vena cava. 

Bile-duct : Seize the stomach by the left extremity, force 
it upward toward the spine, and examine the duct which 
extends from the liver to the duodenum. 

Spleen: Separate and remove the spleen from the 
stomach and right kidney by severing the suspensory liga- 
ment and the gastrosplenic omentum. 

Left kidney: " Shell " the left kidney out of its peri- 
renal fat with the fingers and cut through the ureter and 
renal blood-vessels close to the organ. 

Left adrenal : Remove the left adrenal by slowly tearing 
it away with the fingers. 

Duodenum : Pass the left hand between the stomach and 
great colon. Follow the duodenum to the rectoduodenal 
ligament with the left hand. Seize the duodenum where 
severed from the jejunum and draw it backward under the 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 107 

great colon and vessels to the stomach. Then place it over 
the lungs where it will not be injured in removing the large 
intestine. 

Great colon and caecum: Separate the pancreas and 
colon with the thumb of the left hand, holding the stump 
of the small colon in the right hand. Tear away all other 
attachments with the fingers except the large arteries. 
Place a knife under the large mesenteric arteries and cut 
upward, leaving as much of the anterior mesenteric artery 
with the aorta as possible. 

Right adrenal: Tear this organ loose with the fingers. 

Right kidney: Remove the right kidney in the manner 
employed to extirpate the left renal organ. 

Stomach: Push two fingers through the diaphragm on 
the right side of the oesophagus, pull that structure back six 
inches, ligate and sever it. Tear the otlier attachments 
loose with the fingers and remove the stomach and duode- 
num together. 

Liver: Leave the liver until the evisceration of- the 
thorax has been completed, then circle the diaphragm close 
to the ribs with a knife and remove liver and diaphragm 
together. 

Pancreas: Remove the pancreas with the liver. 

Pericardial sac and fluid: Wash pericardium, knife and 
hands to prevent soiling of the pericardial fluid. Incise 
pericardium vertically from base to apex and examine the 
color of the fluid. Grasp apex of the heart and lift that 
organ out of the sac, then estimate or measure the quantity 
of fluid and replace the heart. 

Heart and lungs: Cut forward through the posterior 
mediastinum to the arch of the aorta, upward through the 
aorta at this point, and forward above the heart through 



108 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

the anterior mediastinum. Draw the apical lobe of the right 
lung out of its position to avoid injuring it. Cut through 
trachea and other structures entering the thorax from the 
neck. Incise the inferior pericardial and mediastinal attach- 
ments. Kink the left wrist and draw it along the anterior 
face of the diaphragm to catch the blood-vessels and nerves 
which connect with it and sever them when located. Grasp 
the blood-vessels between the heart and lungs close to the 
heart, balance the limgs on the forearm and carry the 
organs to the tub. 

Blood-vessels: Open the aorta, mesenteric and iliac 
arteries with an enterotome. 

Pleura and peritoneum: Cut downward through the 
belly wall from the pubis to the ribs and flush out the inside 
of the blood-vessels, thorax and abdomen with water. This 
better facilitates examination of the pleura, peritoneum 
and the ribs. 

Lymph-glands: Incise the lumbar, internal and exter- 
nal iliac lymph-glands. 

Psoas muscles: Incise the psoas muscles vertically in 
lines a half inch apart. 

Ovaries and uterus : Allow ovaries and uterus to remain 
in the abdominal cavity until the pelvic cavity is exenterated. 

Operative Technic for the Pelvic Cavity 

Preparation. — Begin at the external angle of the ilium 
and cut away all the musculature from that bone to the 
internal angle, then backward to the ischial tuberosity. Re- 
move all the musculature down to the sacrosciatic ligament. 

Mammary Gland or Penis. — Dissect the mammary 
gland away from the pelvis and remove it from the position 
back of the leg where it was placed after dissection from 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 109 

the abdomen. If the animal be a male dissect the penis from 
its attachment along the pelvis, taking care not to injure 
it at the ischial arch of the pubis. Draw the penis straight 
back until it extends in a direct line from the floor of the 
pelvic cavity. If the animal has not been skinned place an 
incision completely around the penis and anus through the 
integument, holding the j)enis straight back to prevent 
injury to it. Should the annual be a female place an inci- 
sion around the vulva and anus. The object is to remove 
all the organs of the pelvis together and separate them after 
they have been excised. In males when the urogenital 
system is to be removed intact the kidneys attached to the 
ureters, and the testicles attached to the spermatic vessels 
are taken out together with the rectum, urinary bladder and 
penis. In females the kidneys, urinary bladder, rectum, 
ovaries, uterus and vagina are removed together. 

Pelvic Organs. — To excise the pelvic organs, hold the 
external genitals and rectum to one side, after the incision 
has been made around them through the skin. Dissect the 
organs free from their peripheral attachments to the walls 
of the pelvis, holding the cutting edge of the knife closely 
applied to pelvic bones to avoid injury to the organs. To 
aid in reaching the anterior attachments cut carefully 
around the sacrosciatic ligament from above, and remove 
it from its position between the ischium and sacrum. From 
this opening one may readily reach and sever all attachments 
of the pelvic organs. One may also work from the abdom- 
inal opening by changing his position. In class-work other 
students are working on the ventral side of the cadaver and 
one must exenterate the pelvis from the posterior aspect. 
When all organs have been loosened remove and place them 
on the table. 



110 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

Exenteration of the pelvis may be facilitated by removal 
of the acetabulum and two inches of the branch of each bone 
which contributes to its formation. To accomplish this 
saw through the shaft of the ilium, acetabular branch of 
the ischium, and transverse branch of the pubis two or three 
inches from the cotyloid cavity. One may also saw through 
the shaft of the ilium, and saw or cut through the pelvic 
symphysis with the ax, then remove the piece of pelvis thus 
freed (Figs. 76, 83). 

SUMMARY OF PELVIC CAVITY 

Preparation: Excise all musculature from the upper 
side of the os innominatum down to the sacrosciatic liga- 
ment, within the triangle made by the external and internal 
angles of the ilium and ischial tuberosity. 

JNIammary gland or penis : Remove the mammary gland 
or dissect the penis from the inferior aspect of the pelvis. 
Draw the penis straight back. Place an incision around 
the external genitals and the anus through the skin. 

Pelvic organs: Carefully remove the sacrosciatic liga- 
ment and then work the pelvic organs loose from their 
peripheral attachments through this opening and from the 
incision around the genitals and anus. 

Pelvic organs in situ: Saw through the shaft of the 
ilium and pubic symphysis, and remove side of pelvis. 

Operative Technic for Leg and Foot 

Muscles. — The heavy musculature of the hind leg, 
when that extremity is placed in a horizontal position, 
should be cut in parallel planes and examined (Fig. 83) . 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 111 

PoPLiTEAi. Lymph-gland. — Make an incision from 
behind forward toward the femorotibial articulation. The 
pophteal lymph-glands may be located immediately back of 
the origin of the gastrochnemius muscle. 

Stifle Joint. — Flex the joint and start an incision 
around the- anterior surface below the patella. Cut through 
the joint capsule, lateral, patellar, and crucial ligaments, 
lay the articulation open and separate the patella. 

TiBiOTARSAL JoiNT. — To opcu tlic tibiotarsal joint hold 
the foot backward, place the cutting edge of the knife 
against the anterior face of the joint and cut directly 
through the capsular and other ligaments of the articula- 
tion and the tendons of the perforans, perforatus, and gas- 
trochnemius. Remove the portion of the leg below the 
tibiotarsal joint and place it on a table (Fig. 88) . 

Scapulohumeral Joint. — Cut into the posterior face 
of the joint, sever all ligaments, and lay the joint open. 

Axillary Lymph-gland. — These glands are found at 
the junction of the external thoracic, subcapsular, and 
brachial veins. The cubital lymph-glands lie behind the 
biceps muscle on the brachial vessels and the median nerve. 
They should be incised in many places. 

Carpal Joint. — Draw the foot forward and start the 
incision on the posterior face of the articulation. Cut 
through tendons and ligaments and sever the leg at the 
joint (Fig. 88). 

Tendons, Etc. — If the skin has not been removed be- 
low the carpal or tarsal joints, lay the leg upon its anterior 
surface and make an incision down the median line of the 
posterior surface from the tarsal or carpal joint to the 
frog. Place a circular incision around the foot just above 



112 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



the horny wall. Lay back the skin from the margins of 
these incisions and remove it. Separate the perforatus 
and perforans from the tarsal or carpal joint to the frog, 
and after the frog and sole have been removed follow the 
perforans to its attachments to the os pedis. Open and 
inspect the tendon sheaths and biu'sa?. 

Frog. — Chisel around the outline of the frog, seize it 
by the base with a strong iron pinchers, pry downward to- 
ward the point and remove the structure (Fig. 90) . 





Fig. 90. — Lines of incision for ablation of 
horny sole and frog. 



Fig. 91. — Lines of incision for sawing the wall 
of the hoof. 



Sole. — Make an incision around the sole with the chisel, 
following the white line. Saw through it vertically and 
horizontally, thus dividing its surface into four parts. Place 
a chisel in the middle of the sole and pry up the corner of 
one quarter, then seize it with the pinchers and bend it 
toward the periphery of the sole until it is completely 
separated from the foot. Remove the other parts of the 
sole in the same manner (Fig. 90) . 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE HORSE 113 

Wall. — Turn the leg over so that the anterior surface 
is uppermost. Saw through the horny wall vertically in 
three places in such manner that the wall will be divided 
into four equal parts. With a knife separate the horny 
and fleshy leaves of the wall at the coronary band. Make 
this separation in the middle of one of the equal divisions 
of the wall and only deep enough to afford a grip for the 
pinchers. Insert the pinchers and pry downward toward 
the toe until that portion of the wall is released. Remove 
the other sections of the structure in the same manner. 
Examine the horny and fleshy leaves. A vise or an assistant 
should hold the foot while the frog, sole and wall are being 
excised (Fig. 91). 

Phalangeal and Navicular Joints. — After the sole 
and w^all have been removed, cut the perforatus and per- 
forans from their inferior attachments. Remove the navic- 
ular and sesamoid bones and the lateral cartilages, then 
disarticulate the phalanges by severing their ligaments. 
Examine the bones carefully for exostoses, fractures, etc., 
and remove a small portion of periosteum with the cross 
chisel. 

SUMMARY OF LEG AND FOOT 

Incise the muscles of the hind leg in parallel horizontal 
planes. Examine the regional lymph-glands. Disarticu- 
late the stifle, tarsal, scapulohumeral, and carpal joints. 
Open the principal tendon sheaths and burs« and separate 
the perforatus and perforans tendons. Remove the frog, 
sole, and wall of the foot. Excise the navicular and sessa- 
moid bones and lateral cartilages. Finally disarticulate 
the phalangeal joints. 



114 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

Operative Technic for Musculature, Bones 
AND Joints 

Musculature. — As a general rule muscle tissue, like 
the organs, should be so incised that the part may be recon- 
structed as nearly as possible. The incisions should be long 
and clean and be made with a sharp knife. This leaves a 
smooth surface to be examined. A dull knife makes a 
ragged incision and short incisions produce a wavy surface 
for inspection. Virchow says that a clean incision made 
in the wrong place is better than a ragged incision made 
in the right place. 

As the technic on head, neck, back, thorax, abdomen, and 
pelvis is being effectuated, the muscles should be examined. 
They should be sliced in parallel vertical or horizontal lines. 
For examining any particular muscle for metaplasia, rup- 
ture, etc., it must be dissected out along anatomical lines. 

Bones. — In every autopsy one of the long bones con- 
taining yellow bone-marrow should be sawed in two parts 
longitudinally or split with an ax. Another should be 
sawed crosswise in several places. This facilitates examina- 
tion of the thickness of articular cartilage and condition of 
bone-marrow. A few ribs should be sawed through for 
examination of red bone-marrow. 

Bones of Legs. — To examine bones for fractures it is 
necessary to free them from muscle tissue. This procedure 
depends upon the location of the bone. To remove the 
bones of the legs, cut through the musculature down to the 
bone parallel to the direction of the long axis. Then re- 
move the muscle from all sides, and cut all attachments. 

Os Innominatum. — After the musculature has been 
removed from the upper side of the os innominatum, one 
should seize the external angle of the ilium with one hand 



INTERNAL EXAMINAIION OF THE HORSE 115 

and the ischial tuberosity with the other and so alternately 
pull and push that crepitation may be readily heard or felt 
if fractures be present. For the examination of the right 
side of the os innominatum, sever the spine in the lumbar 
region with the saw ; turn the posterior part of the cadaver 
on its left side, disarticulate the right hind leg at the coxo- 
femoral joint; remove muscles from ilium and ischium and 
examine the osseous structures. 

Ribs. — Removal of the upper side of the cadaver, and 
washing out the thoracic cavity after evisceration exposes 
the ribs for inspection. A few ribs should be sawed 
through for examination of the red bone-marrow. 

Bones of the Head. — During the technic on the 
cranium, nasal passages, and sinuses, the bones are so in- 
cised as to facilitate a close examination of their structure. 
The mandible should be sawed through laterally when there 
is any obvious enlargement present. 

Phalanges. — These bones should be disarticulated 
during the technic on the foot, then sawed in two vertically. 

Joints. — Joints to be examined are disarticulated. 
This procedure depends upon the anatomical position and 
should be followed out by cutting downward through all 
structures to the joint, then severing all ligaments and lay- 
ing the joint open. Tendons over the joints should be 
examined before they are incised. The fluid of the articu- 
lation and the articular surfaces should be closely inspected. 

SUMMARY OF MUSCULATURE, BONES AND JOINTS 

Musculature : For the examination of muscule tissue in 
general, long, smooth incisions should be made either ver- 
tically or horizontally. For special examination individual 
muscles should be dissected out for examination. 



116 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

Bones: In every autopsy at least one long bone should 
be sawed through longitudinally for examination of the 
yellow bone-marrow, and a few ribs severed for the inspec- 
tion of the red bone-marrow. To examine any particular 
bone remove the surrounding muscle tissue, sever its articu- 
lar attachments and saw through it in several places. 

Joints : Joints to be examined are disarticulated by cut- 
ting through all surrounding structures down to the joint, 
then severing all articular ligaments, and laying the joint 
open. 



CHAPTER VI 
INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF RUMINANTS 

Position and Skin of Cadaver. — Following a careful 
external examination, which should be conducted in the 
same general manner with all animals, the ruminant is 
placed on the left side (Fig. 92) and the skin and legs 
together removed from the upper or right side. The skin 
may be completely removed or for convenience and expedi- 
tion the right fore and hind legs may be thrown off with 
the integument of the upper half of the cadaver when the 
commercial value of the hide has to be considered (Fig. 93) . 
The position of the ruminant at autopsy is the reverse of 
that of the horse for anatomical reasons. When the cow 
or sheep is placed on the left side the rumen is undermost, 
and as the right side of the cadaver is removed the aboma- 
sum, duodenum and other intestines are brought uppermost 
and are accessible for ligation and inspection. 

Operative Technic for Head, Neck and Back 

Thyroid Glands. — After the skin has been removed, 
or before, if its commercial value is not to be considered, 
place an incision on the median line of the neck just back 
of the larynx down to the rings of the trachea ( Fig. 92 ) . 
Insert the fingers to the side of the latter, seize, withdraw, 
and sever the thyroid glands. 

Parotid Saeivary and Subparotid Lymph-glands. 
— Immediately below the ear and back of the maxilla the 
parotid salivary gland may be examined. The subparotid 
lymph-glands are partially covered by the upper anterior 

117 



118 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 




a o 
2S 



a) to 






INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF RUMINANTS 119 

border of the parotid salivary glands. After both have 
been examined remove the latter. The left parotid struc- 
tui'es may be inspected after the head has been removed. 




_ Prescapular 
lymph gland 



Fig. 93. — This view shows the skin of the right side together with the right fore and 
hind leg dissected back from a single ventral median, incision from the chin to the anus. The 
legs and skin of the right side are next thrown over the dorsal side of the animal and the autopsy 
conducted without injury to the hide which liiay be removed later. This is done only when 
the skin must be preserved for its commercial value. It saves the time and labor of the autop- 
sist which would be consumed in skinning the entire cadaver or the right legs. The udder is 
separated from the abdomen and lines are shown for the xdphoid-pubic, pubic-lumbar incis- 
ions and sternal as well as part of dorsal thoracic incisions. 



SUBMAXILLAKY LyMPH- AND SaLIVARY GlANDS. The 

submaxillary salivary glands may be located in the inter- 
maxillary space opposite the angle of the jaw, and the sub- 
maxillary lymph-glands lie between the sternocephalicus 



120 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



muscles and the submaxillary salivary glands. There are 
two in number, quite small and sometimes difficult to find 
(Fig. 94). 

Right Ramus or Mandible. — ^For the examination 
in situ of many structures of the head and neck the right 
ramus of the lower jaw is removed and the jugular furrow 




Interior cervical 1. g. 



Middle cervical 1. ga. 

Superior cervical 1. g. 
Atlanta! 



I Retropharyngeal 1. gs. 

Submaxillary 1. gs. 
Tonsil 



FiQ. 94. — Skin of the right side of the head and neck removed and thrown over the 
dorsal side. The right fore leg was taken off with the skin of the body and the scapula pro- 
trudes above the neck. The skin of the right side of the head is supported on the rignt horn. 
The right ramus of the mandible has been removed. Tongue, larynx and trachea have been 
freed from the head and neck. Tonsils and lymph glands are exposed. Right jugular vein, 
carotid artery, and vagus have been separated and laid back. Analogous structures on the 
left side are exposed by turning head and neck over. 



laid open. The right part of the mandible is taken off by 
passing a knife under the bone from the temporomaxillary 
articulation to the symphysis, freeing it from all attach- 
ments between these points. The next incision is made from 
the temporomandibular articulation to the commissure of 
the lips downward to the teeth. A piece of lip two inches 
long is excised over the dental space and the mandible sawed 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF RUMINANTS 121 

through just above the symphysis (Fig. 92). The right 
ramus of the lower jaw is now held in place only by the 
temporomandibular articulation. Grasp the right side of 
the mandible just back of the point at which it was sawed 
through, pull upward and backward, disarticulating the 
jaw at the temple. 

Tonsils. — Cut through the soft palate with a knife, 
break both great cornua of the hyoid bone with a bone for- 
ceps, and rotate the larynx slightly upward. On the outer 
surface of the pharj^nx just anterior to the epiglottis on 
either side there is a bean-shaped organ of yellow color 
about the size of a small walnut. By placing the finger on 
the inner side of the pharyngeal wall opposite this organ 
the tonsillar sinus can be located. The tonsil is sometimes 
mistaken for a lymph-gland but on section it presents lobu- 
lations while the lymph-gland does not ( Fig. 94* ) , 

Rethopharyngeal Lymph-glands. — After locating 
the tonsils, place the hand above and back of the larynx, 
break down the loose connective tissue, locate and withdraw 
both retropharyngeal lymph-glands from the same opening 
(Fig. 94). 

Jugular Furrow and Structures. — Lay open the 
jugular furrow by placing an incision through the super- 
ficial cervical muscles an inch above the jugular groove, 
from the right wing of the atlas to the first rib. Separate 
and examine the jugular structures (Figs. 92, 94) . 

Lymph-glands. — The atlantal lymph-gland is disc- 
shaped and lies just under the lateral wing of the atlas. 
The anterior cervical lymph-glands lie along the carotid 
artery below and posterior to the atlantal gland. The 
middle cervical glands are small and lie on the lateral supe- 
rior surface of the trachea at about the middle of that organ, 



122 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

close to the cartilaginous rings. The posterior cervical or 
prepectoral glands lie between the first two ribs at their 
superior extremities ( Fig. 94 ) . 

Tongue, Larynx, Trachea and (Esophagus. — These 
structures are extirpated together. To remove them grasp 
the tongue, raise it upward, and sever its inferior attach- 
ments with a knife. Complete the incision through the 
soft palate, and, since the cornua of the hyoid bone have 

been previously broken, 
draw the larj^nx upward and 
outward, cutting downward 
behind it until it is entirely 
free from the neck. Continue 
cutting back of the trachea 
to the first rib, then sever the 
trachea, oesophagus, vessels 
and nerves close to the 
thorax, and place the ablated 
structures on a table to be 
properly opened and in- 
spected later. 

Decapitation. — To re- 

FiG. 95— Incisions to be made in removing mOVC tllC llCad, raisC tllC clllu 

calvarium and opening nasal passages. 

upward and cut through the 
muscles back of the angle of the left ramus of the 
jaw toward the occipito-atloidal joint. Disarticulate 
the head at this point and place it on a table. 

Preparation of the Head. — If the skin has not been 
removed it can be quickly taken off by placing an incision 
down the median line of the face and dissecting laterally 
from its edges. To free the left ramus of the jaw from the 
head, place an incision from the corner of the mouth to 




INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF RUMINANTS 123 

temporomandibular joint down to the teeth ; grasp the man- 
dible at the interdental space and pull laterally until the 
jaw is disarticulated at the temporomaxillary joint. Place 
the head upon the upper teeth and remove all musculature 
(Fig. 95). 

Extirpation of the Brain. — To remove the calvarium 
of the cow, sheep or goat, place the saw horizontally against 
the head, after the skin and muscles have been removed, 




FiQ. 96. — This shows relation of incisions to horns and occipital condyles. 

and make an incision around the base of the skull imme- 
diately below the horn, from the foramen magnum to a point 
over the nasal septum approximately an inch above the eye 
(Figs. 95, 96) . The line should be between the base of the 
horn and the external auditory meatus (Fig. 97), and 
extend inward to the cranial cavity. Place a similar incision 
on the other side of the head. The next incision is made 
with a saw between the horns, downward on the median line 



124 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 




tf > 




Y\G. S7 — Showing position of incision between horn and external auditory meatus. 




Fig. 'JS. — Halves of calvarium spread apart cxpo^int; brain and frontal sinuses. 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF RUMINANTS 125 

of the head, through the occipital prominence into the 
cranial cavity, from the foramen magnum to a point over 
the nasal septum (Figs. 95, 96) . There is little danger of 
injuring the brain, as the saw would pass between the hemi- 
spheres of the cerebrum if it should penetrate a little too 
deeply. The calvarium may now be divided in halves by 
prying the horns apart ( Fig. 98 ) with the hands or tapping 
them with a mallet (Martin). The meninges may be in- 
cised and the brain raised out of the cranium with the 
fingers. 

Nasal Passages^ Eye, Ear, Etc. — The sinuses of the 
head, nasal passages, nasal septum, teeth, eye, ear, and 
spinal cord are handled in the same manner as those of the 
horse (Fig. 95). 

Operative Technic for Thoracic and Abdominal 

Cavities 

Front Leg. — Place an incision back of the foreleg 
from the crestline of the back to the sternum, down to the 
intercostal muscles, and a second incision immediately in 
front of the leg from the top of the neck to the manubrium 
of the sternum ( Fig. 92 ) . Raise the leg upward with one 
hand and sever it from the thorax, permitting the prescapu- 
lar lymph-gland to remain with the limb ( Fig. 93 ) . Re- 
move the leg completely from the cadaver and place it on 
a table. 

Hind Leg. — Make an incision from a point immedi- 
ately back of the external angle of the ilium forward 
through the tensor fascia lata, then downward and back- 
ward under the leg, horizontally three inches above the 
median line of the pubis or mammary gland (Fig. 92). 
Raise the incision over the ischial tuberosity, then lift the 



126 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

leg upward and cut directly into the coxofemoral joint. 
Continue incising past the joint through the thick muscles 
of the haunch. The precrural lymph-gland may be removed 
with the leg (Fig. 93). 

Mammary Gland or Penis. — Dissect the mammary 
gland together with the supramammary lymph-glands 
away from the abdomen by applying traction on the udder 
and cutting through its connective-tissue attachments until 
it is entirely free from the body (Figs. 92, 93). If the 
animal be a male, dissect the penis free from the abdomen 
and lay it over the leg to be removed upon evisceration of 
the pelvic cavity. 

Xiphoid-pubic Incision. — To open the abdominal 
cavity and remove the right side, an incision must be made 
from the pubis to the xiphoid cartilage through the abdom- 
inal wall following the median line ( Fig. 93 ) . Great care 
must be exercised to avoid puncturing the intestines and 
soiling the viscera. Stand with the back against the left 
hind leg of the cadaver if the latter be on a table, place 
the left hand against the cadaver to steady one's own body, 
then with the knife held in a full hand grip in the right 
hand press the cutting edge, near the tip, against the 
median line of the belly six inches anterior to the pubis 
and cut gently. Do not attempt to penetrate the entire 
thickness of the wall with one incision, but remove the knife 
and test the depth of the incision and the thickness of the 
wall with the forefinger of the left hand many times so that 
the finger, not the knife, is the first to penetrate the cavity. 
Enlarge the opening so that the first two fingers of the left 
hand may enter, turn the knuckles toward the intestines 
and the tips of the fingers against the inner aspect of the 
abdominal wall one on either side of the median fine. With 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF RUMINANTS 127 

the intestines thus protected turn the back of the knife 
toward the cadaver, insert one-half inch of the point, cut 
outward and forward, enlarging the incision by half an inch. 
Continue this process carefully until the sternum is reached. 

Pubic-lumbar Incision. — When the xiphoid-pubic 
incision has been completed, grasp the knife in the right 
hand point upward, cutting edge away from the autopsist's 
body. Extend the first and second fingers straight out 
from the hand holding the knife by gripping the handle 
with the third and fourth fingers and the thumb. Now 
force the butt of the knife into the peritoneal cavity at the 
posterior end of the xiphoid-pubic incision close to the pubis, 
and cut through the belly wall, from the median line to the 
lumbar region anterior to the external angle of the ilium. 
The first two fingers should precede the cutting edge of the 
knife to protect the intestines from injury (Fig. 93) . One 
should avoid injury to the spermatic cord in the male, and 
later open the inguinal canal and lay the cord and testicle 
in the pelvis to be removed later during the evisceration 
of the pelvic cavity. 

Vacuity of the Thorax. — To test the vacuity of the 
thorax feel of the diaphragm and determine if it be convex 
toward the thorax. Next puncture the intercostal muscles 
between the fifth and sixth ribs. To accomplish this make 
a stab puncture one-half inch long, withdraw the knife 
quickly and insert the finger. The air rushing into the 
thorax imparts a cold sensation to the back of the finger 
if the thorax be a vacuum. 

Ribs. — Prepare the ribs for incision so that the right 
side may be removed by taking the muscles off the inferior 
border of the thorax. Next make a line with the cutting 
edge of the knife from the inferior end of the first rib to the 



128 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

xiphoid cartilage (Fig. 93) . Wash and dry the hands and 
the ax handle to prevent the latter from slipping, then cut 
each rib, following the line made with the knife, using only 
two inches of the corner of the ax. Start with the first rib 
and cut from right to left toward the xiphoid region. 
When near the ensif orm cartilage moderate the force of the 
blows so that the stomach may not be injured. Great care 
should be used to prevent opening the pericardial sac when 
the ribs are being severed, otherwise it would be impossible 
to estimate the character and quantity of fluid present. 

Assume a position on the dorsal side of the cadaver, 
trim the musculature from the angle made by the ribs and 
the superspinous processes, then cut through each rib from 
the last to the fifth, three inches from the superior attach- 
ment to the spine, and from the fifth to the first inclusive, 
close to the superior attachment (Fig. 93). To remove 
the side cut the diaphragm close to the ribs, from the right 
kidney to the sternum, seize the ribs with a hook close to 
the xiphoid cartilage, and raise the side upward and back- 
ward, freeing it from the cadaver. 

A\nien the thoracic and abdominal cavities have been 
opened one should carefully note the relative position of 
organs, presence of fluids, clots, gas, foreign bodies, etc. 
No organ should be disturbed until its relationship with 
other organs has been fully determined. 

Omentum. — The omentum is carefully stripped free 
from the stomach with the fingers. 

Intestines. — When the side is removed the abomasum 
rolls out of the abdomen immediately posterior to the ensi- 
form cartilage and the duodenum extends almost vertically 
toward the spine across the viscera. Two double ligatures 
are placed on the duodenum eighteen inches apart, one on 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF RUMINANTS 129 

either side of the point where the bile-duct joins the gut 
(Fig. 99). Each of the Hgatures constituting the double 
ligation is placed six inches from the other, after the intes- 
tinal contents have been forced in either direction. To 
apply a ligature, as described in ligation of the intestines 
of the horse, one should double a stout string eighteen inches 
long. Force the loop end under the gut and bring it up on 
the opposite side. Push the two free ends through the loop 

Bile duct 




Fig. 99. — The right fore and hind legs and the right side, have been removed expos- 
ing thoracic and abdominal cavities. The abomasum haa dropped out of the abdomen just 
posterior to the xiphoid cartilage and the duodenum passes upward on the rumen, past the 
liver toward the spine. The bile duct extends from the gall bladder to the duodenum and lines 
indicate the points of ligation and incision of that gut. 

and draw the slipknot tightly around the intestine. Divide 
the free ends of the twine and carry them around the gut 
in opposite directions, bringing them to the top again where 
they are tied with a surgeon's knot. 

When the ligations have been made the intestines are 
incised between the double ligatures, and a piece of duode- 
num is left with the liver to be removed when that organ 
is extirpated. Thus no intestinal contents are allowed to 

9 



130 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

soil the viscera and possibly mask lesions which may be 
present. Another double ligature is applied to the rectum 
at the inlet of the pelvic cavity, and the gut incised. Thus 
in all three double ligatures are applied to the intestines 
of the ruminant and one to the oesophagus which will be 
described later. 

The cfficum and small intestines gravitate into the flank 
when the side is removed. The colon is arranged in coils 
between the layers of the mesentery. To detach it, tear loose 
the connective-tissue attachments of that gut and the duo- 
denum with the fingers, gather the mesentery in the hands 
close to its superior attachments, then pass a knife under 
the mesentery and its vessels and cut upward. Thus 
loosened, all the intestines will usually slip out of the abdo- 
men together between the leg and the stomachs. After 
the intestines have been removed one may separate them 
by starting with the duodenum and cutting them free from 
the mesentery, then laying them out on the floor. The 
mesentery should be stretched out and the mesenteric 
lymph-glands exposed for further technic and examination. 

Kidneys and Adrenai.s. — Enucleate the right kidney 
from the perirenal fat with the fingers and sever the renal 
blood-vessels and ureter by passing a knife under them and 
cutting upward. Dissect the right adrenal free with the 
fingers. It is exposed when the kidney has been extirpated. 
The left kidney and adrenal are removed in a similar man- 
ner. The renal lymph-glands are left in place but exposed 
by stripping the fat away from them. 

Stomachs and Spleen. — The extirpation of the stom- 
achs and spleen appears very difficult to the student at first, 
because of the bulk of the rumen. All the attachments of 
the stomachs may be readily broken with the fingers by 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF RUMINANTS 131 

applying a little energy. A double ligatuie is placed on the 
oesophagus inmiediately posterior to the diaphragm, then it 
is incised by cutting upward transversely through it. The 
stomach with the spleen still attached may now be rolled out 
of the peritoneal cavity. The spleen should be carefully 
dissected from the stomach and placed upon a table. 

Liver and Gall-bladder. — The liver, together with 
the gall-bladder and piece of duodenum, may be removed 
at this point by severing the hepatic attachments to the 
diaphragm, or one may leave it until the thoracic cavity has 
been eviscerated and then take it out with the diaphragm 
by cutting through that structiu'e along its periphery. 

Pancreas. — The pancreas should be left with the liver. 

Pericardial Sac and Fluid. — Wash the hands, knife 
and pericardium to prevent soiling the pericardial fluid. 
Place an incision from the base to the apex of the heart 
through the pericardium. Draw the edges of the incision 
apart and observe the character of the fluid. Raise the heart 
out of the sac by lifting the apex upward, remove, and meas- 
ure the fluid and examine the inner aspect of the sac for 
foreign bodies. Replace the heart and examine the pos- 
terior outer surface of the sac for the same purpose. 

Heart and Lungs. — The heart, lungs, bronchial, and 
mediastinal lymph-glands and thoracic portion of the 
oesophagus are extirpated together as in the horse. The 
first incision is made through the posterior mediastinum 
from the diaphragm to the arch of the aorta. Cut upward 
through the aorta and forward through the anterior medias- 
tinum. Draw the apical lobe of the left lung backward 
from under the right apical lobe with the left hand, then 
cut downward through the trachea, oesophagus, blood- 
vessels and nerves entering from the cervicar region at their 



132 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

entrance to the thorax. Cut through the pericardial attach- 
ments to the sternum. Next crook the wrist and pass it 
along the anterior face of the diaphragm from above to 
below, and seize the posterior vena cava and branches of the 
vagus which are then severed. 

The oesophagus may be drawn into the thoracic cavity 
by application of slight traction. To determine if all attach- 
ments have been severed pass the hand around the periphery 
of the heart and lungs. To remove the thoracic organs pass 
the left hand between the heart and lungs palm toward the 
heart. Grasp the connecting structures between the thumb 
and fingers, raise the hand to a vertical position, balance 
the lungs on the forearm and carry them to the tub or table. 

Blood-vessels. — Open the aorta and iliac arteries with 
an enterotome, cutting close to the vertebrse so that the 
vessels will lie open. 

Pleura and Peritoneum. — Cut downward through 
the muscles of the left flank to permit drainage of the cavi- 
ties. Flush the abdomen, thorax and opened blood-vessels 
with water, then examine the pleura, j)eritoneum, ribs, 
vertebrae, blood-vessels, and inguinal structures. 

Lymph-glands. — ^The intercostal lymph- glands are 
found at the superior extremities of the intercostal spaces. 
The sternal lymph-glands are situated at the inferior ex- 
tremities of the intercostal spaces and in the fat of the peri- 
cardial apex. The lumbar lymph-glands form an irregular 
chain along the abdominal aorta. The re7ial lymjjh- glands 
are bean-shaped and are found near the points where the 
kidneys were removed. The internal iliac lymph-glands 
are five or six in number at the origin of the iliac arteries. 
The largest iliac glands are about two inches in diameter, 
rather flat on the sides, and disc-shaped. They are situated 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF RUMINANTS 133 





i 

1 


f 







134 VETERINAEY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

one on either side of the pelvic inlet. The external iliac 
lyinph-glands occur near the point of the hip. The sirper- 
ficiol inguinal lymph-glands in the male are situated back 
of the sigmoid flexure on either side of the penis. These 
glands are called the supramammary lymph-glands in the 
female and are situated at the base of the udder at its pos- 
terior margin. There are no deep inguinal lymph-glands 
(Fig. 100), 

Operative Technic for the Pelvic Cavity 

Preparation. — Remove all musculature from that 
triangular space between the external and internal angle 
of the ilium and the ischium down to the sacrosciatic liga- 
ment. Dissect the penis from the pubis so that it may be 
extended backward in a direct line with the floor of the 
pelvis. Saw through the shaft of the ilium, cut through the 
pelvic symphysis with the ax, then remove the portion of 
the pelvis thus freed. After examining the organs in situ 
place an incision around the anus and external genitals, 
holding the penis straight back if it be a male, and cut 
around the periphery of the pelvic organs, keeping the cut- 
ting edge of the knife toward the pelvic bones to avoid 
injury to the soft structures, until all are freed. 

Organs. — If the animal be a female, the ovaries, vagina, 
uterus, bladder, and rectum are removed together. If it 
be an entire male, the seminal vesicles and adjacent glands, 
bladder, and rectum are extirpated together with the penis 
and testicles, placed upon a table, and later opened and 
examined. 

The operative technic for the leg and foot, muscles, 
bones, and joints is practically the same for ruminants 
as that applied to the horse. 



CHAPTER VII 
INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF SWINE 

Dorsal Position. — Post-mortem technic for the ex- 
amination of swine is very similar to that used on the dog 
and cat. Small swine are placed in the dorsal position and 
very large animals of this species are placed in the left-side 
position to facilitate the location of the rectoduodenal liga- 
ment and removal of intestines. When the dorsal position 
is used, an incision is made down the ventral median line 
through the skin and fat to the sternum and abdominal 
muscles, from the point of the chin to the anus, avoiding 
the genitals, as in the dog (Fig. 101). From this median 
incision lay back the skin and fat from the thorax, at the 
same time separating both forelegs from the body so that 
they lie flat on the table at right angles to the cadaver. Cut 
into the coxofemoral articulations and lay the hind legs 
outward from the body. This position of the legs main- 
tains the cadaver in the dorsal position. Complete removal 
of the skin in either position is unnecessary (Fig. 102) . 

Operative Technic for the Head, Neck and Back 

Extirpation of thyroid glands, tongue, tonsils, larynx, 
trachea and cord, and the opening of nasal passages is 
the same as in the dog and cat. To remove the brain, which 
is deeply situated in the pig, remove skin and muscles from 
the head after disarticulation of the occipito-atloidal joint. 
Enucleate the eyes and make a verticle transverse incision 
with the saw through the centre of each orbit to the cranial 

135 



136 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



cavity. The two lateral incisions are made as in other ani- 
mals from the foramen magnum anteriorly above tlie zygo- 
matic crest to meet the transverse incision. With the ham- 





4 




w 



Fig. 101. — The incision 
is made just through the 
skin, then skin and legs 
are laid back from the 
body together. 



Fig. 102. — Skin and legs have been laid back from median 
incision indicated in Fig 101. The cadaver now remains in 
dorsal position unassisted. The abdomen is first opened by 
one median and two lateral incisions. The sternum is then 
removed by two lateral incisions. 



mer-hook the calvarium may now be lifted off and the brain 
removed with the fingers and scalpel after the meninges 
have been incised longitudinally. 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF SWINE 137 

Opekative Technic for the Thoracic and Abdominal 

Cavities 

The peritoneal cavity is opened by making an incision 
through the abdominal muscles from the xiphoid cartilage 
to the pubis, after the penis has been dissected from the 
belly and laid back over the anus. Transverse incisions are 
made through the belly wall along the posterior border of 
the ribs (Fig. 102) and the flaps of the abdominal wall laid 
outward (Fig. 103). Two lateral thoracic incisions are 
made and the sternum removed (Figs. 102, 103). 

Intestines. — The colon and caecum of swine lie princi- 
pally on the left side and therefore when the cadaver is 
placed in the dorsal position these structures appear at the 
autopsist's right, and the small intestines at his left. To 
locate the rectoduodenal ligament push the small intestines 
to the right, find the rectoduodenal ligament close to the 
left kidney, apply a double ligature to the colon ( abdominal 
rectum) and duodenum, then cut through both intestines 
between the double ligatures (Fig. 103). Draw the intes- 
tines upward and sever the mesentery and vessels close to 
the lumbar muscles, then remove small intestines, colon 
and cfccum together. 

When one wishes to find evidences of hog cholera with- 
out completing an autopsy the ileoctecal valve should be 
located and examined first, as that structure presents ulcer- 
ous lesions if any be present in the cadaver. The colon of 
the hog is arranged in coils which are firmly held together 
in such manner as to make the colon simulate a bee hive. 
The CtTCum, which is eight to twelve inches in length by 
three to four inches in diameter, is at the base of this struc- 
ture where the diameter of the lumen of the colon is the 
greatest. The ileum enters the cfecum obliquely and is of 



138 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



quite small calibre. To locate the ileocsecal valve, grasp 
the colon at the apex of its spiral structure of coils or that 
point corresponding to the apex of a bee hive and lift it 



Liver 



Duodenum 



Rectoduodenal 
ligament 



Caecum 




Heart 



iStomach 



Small intestines 



Rectum 



Colon 



U. bladder 



Fig. 103. — After opening abdomen and thorax by making incisions indicated in Fig. 
102, all the intestines are pushed to the autopsist's right, out of the left side of the abdomen, 
the rectoduodenal ligament exposed, duodenum and abdominal rectum ligated and incised on 
either side of it as indicated, and the small intestines, colon and caecum removed together and 
separated later. Rectum is removed with pelvic organs and duodenum with the stomach. 

upward. With the other hand examine the entire circum- 
ference of the base of the structure until the ileimi is located 
at its entrance to the cgecum. Penetrate the ileum with an 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF SWINE 139 

enterotome and follow it through to the ileocgecal valve 
(Fig. 104). 

Duodenum and Bile-duct. — The duodenum is opened 
with an enterotome and the ampulla of Vater exposed. 
Squeeze upon the gall-bladder until bile flows into the intes- 
tine, then open the bile-duct to the gall-bladder with a 
sharp-pointed scissors. 



Colon 




Ileum 



Fig. 104. — When the ileo-caecal valve is of particular interest, the colon, caecum and 
part of the ileum are separated from the small intestines, the caecum opened and the valve 
exposed. 

Spleen. — The spleen of the hog is long and narrow. 
It should be severed from the stomach and removed. 

Stomach. — Draw the stomach back from the dia- 
phragm, squeeze the oesophagus to prevent the escape of 
stomach contents, then sever the oesophagus and remove the 
stomach, duodenum and pancreas together. 

Liver. — Place the hand back of the liver, draw it away 
from the diaphragm and cut downward through attach- 



140 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

ments and blood-vessels, freeing the organ from the abdom- 
inal cavity. 

Kidneys. — Raise the kidneys upward and sever their 
attachment close to the lumbar muscles. 

Heart and Lungs. — To open the thoracic cavity cut 
through the diaphragm at its attachment to the sternum, 
after exenteration of the abdominal cavity, then with knife 
or cartilage shears cut each asternal cartilage immediately 
above its costal articulation (Fig. 102) and expose the 
viscera (Fig. 103). Determine the character and quantity 
of fluid if any be present in the thorax. Place a longitudinal 
incision through tlie pericardium and examine the character 
and quantity of pericardial fluid. To extirpate the thoracic 
viscera grasp the oesophagus and trachea anterior to the 
heart and cut through them and the vessels and nerves 
entering the thorax from the neck opposite the second rib. 
Raise the heart upward, forcibly stripping the mediastinum 
from its attachments, and remove heart and lungs together. 

Operative Technic for the Pelvic Cavity 

Excise all muscles from the pelvic symphysis and cut 
downward through the symphysis with knife or chisel into 
the pelvic cavity. In young animals the pelvis may be 
spread apart with the hands, in old animals a piece of the 
floor of the pelvis two inches wide may be taken out with a 
saw. To remove the pelvic organs, place an incision 
through the skin around the penis or vulva and anus, hold- 
ing the joenis straight back, then sever the peripheral attach- 
ments of the pelvic organs from the inside of the pelvis 
and remove them together. 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF SWINE 141 

Left Side Position. — To open the thoracic and ab- 
dominal cavities with the cadaver lying on the left side fol- 
low the same technic as used on ruminants. When the 
right fore and hind legs and the right side have been taken 
off, the colon will be located under the other viscera and 
the small intestine will be uppermost. The rectoduodenal 
ligament may be located close to the left kidney and the 
intestines ligated and quickly removed. Extirpation of 
other organs is accomplished in the same general manner 
as in the dorsal position. 



CHAPTER VIII 

INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE DOG AND CAT 

For class-work one student preferably, and not more 
than two, should be assigned to the autopsy of a small ani- 
mal. When two students are assigned to a case together 
one should do the cutting and the other act as his assistant, 
holding the cadaver while the skin is being removed, weigh- 
ing organs, and handing instruments to the autopsist. If 
two students attempt to cut at the same time injury is pos- 
sible to either. 

Position. — The cadaver is placed in the dorsal position 
tail toward the autopsist and is maintained in that position 
until the exenteration of all cavities has been effectuated 
(Fig. 105). If the cadaver be too large it may be turned 
with the side toward the autopsist, anterior extremity to 
the left, with the animal still maintained in the dorsal 
position. 

Skin. — Place an incision through the skin on the 
median line from the tip of the chin to the rectum, avoiding 
the penis. Make a second incision on the opposite side of 
the penis through the skin (Fig. 105), raise the organ up- 
ward, and dissect it free from the abdomen, then lay it back 
on the tail so that it is in a direct line with the floor of the 
pelvis. Use great care to prevent cutting into or through 
the penis (Fig. 106). 

At right angles to the median incision cut through the 
skin on the inner aspect of each posterior limb to the tarsal 
joint. To remove the integument begin at the point of the 
jaw and from either margin of the median incision dissect 

142 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF DOG AND CAT 143 

the skin away from the cadaver down to the back, cutting 
the forelegs free from the thorax so that they he flat upon 
the table. After the skin has been removed from the inner 




'J 





Fig. 105. — Median 
line of incision through 
the skin from which skin 
and legs are laid back 
from the body. Penis to 
be drawn back over the 
tail. 



Fig. 106.; — Skin and legs laid back from body , penis drawn back 
over the tail. Xiphoid-pubic and two xiphoid-lumbar incisions 
are made to open the abdomen. Two lateral thoracic incisions 
to remove sternum. One short median incision in neck to remove 
thyroid glands and two internal mandibular incisions to draw 
out the tongue, coxofemoral joints opened. 



half of each hind leg cut into both coxofemoral articulations 
and lay the hind extremities flat upon the table. The ante- 
rior and posterior limbs now placed at right angles to the 



144 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

body maintain it in the dorsal position and facilitate further 
technic. If the animal be a female remove the mammary 
glands with the skin (Fig. 106). 

Operative Technic for the Abdominal Cavity 

To open the abdominal cavity make a xiphoid-pubic in- 
cision through the abdominal wall (Fig. 106). Start the 
incision with a small stab puncture immediately posterior 
to the sternmii. Insert the first two fingers of the left hand, 
spread them apart, and raise the abdominal wall upward 
away from the viscera. With the organs thus protected cut 
through the abdominal muscles between the fingers along 
the median line to the pubis. If any fluid be present exam- 
ine it by spreading apart the edges of the incision. Next 
remove the fluid with pipette or cup and determine the 
quantity. To expose the abdominal viscera make an in- 
cision on either side from the ensiform cartilage along the 
posterior border of the ribs to the back (Fig. 106) and lay 
the flaps of the belly wall outward on the table (Fig. 107) . 

Omentum and Intestines. — The exenteration of the 
peritoneal cavity is begun by raising the omentum upward 
and trimming it away from the stomach. Seize the colon 
at the pelvic inlet, squeeze the contents in either direction, 
apply a double ligature two inches apart (Fig. 107), place 
a knife under and cut upward through the gut. Grasp the 
duodenum at the posterior end of the pancreas, apply a 
double ligature and sever in the same manner. When the 
intestines are empty or the contents of firm consistency, 
ligation may be omitted. To remove the intestines, gather 
them in the left hand, raise them upward from the lumbar 
region as far as possible, then sever the mesocolon and 
mesenteric vessels. 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF DOG AND CAT 145 

Bile-duct. — Before the stomach is extirpated that por- 
tion of the duodenum remaining attached to it is opened 








Fig. 107. — Tongue and larynx drawn back. Sternum removed. Flaps of abdomen 
laid back. Omentum laid over cadaver's left side. Points of ligation and incision indicated 
on duodenum and rectum. Liver partly overlaps stomach. Heart and lungs slightly displaced 
posteriorly. 

with a sharp-pointed scissors to the point where the great 
curvature of the stomach begins, and the ampulla of Vater 
is exposed. To determine if there be any obstruction in the 

10 



146 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

bile-duct squeeze upon the gall-bladder until the bile flows 
freely from the intestinal opening of the structure, then 
open the bile-duct from the duodenum to a point near the 
gall-bladder with the sharp-pointed scissors. 

Stomach, Spleen and Pancreas. — Remove the 
stomach by seizing the oesophagus with the thumb and 
forefinger of the left hand close to the diaphragm, draw 
it back and cut through it, continuing to hold the stomach 
end of the oesophagus to prevent the possible escape of 
liquid contents of the stomach. Break through the gastric 
attachments with the fingers and remove the stomach, 
spleen, pancreas and duodenum together. 

Liver. — Place two fingers of the left hand between 
the liver and the diaphragm, draw the liver back and cut 
downward through its attachments and the posterior vena 
cava. 

Kidneys and Adrenals. — With the thumb and fore- 
finger palpate the fat immediately anterior to the kidneys 
until the adrenals are located. Raise adrenal and kidney 
upward and sever their attachments close to the lumbar 
muscles. In females the ovaries may be detached from 
the lumbar position but left with uterine horns to be re- 
moved later with the uterus. 

Operative Technic for Pelvic Cavity 

Cut all muscle away from the pelvic symphysis until 
it is clean. Then cut downward through it with a knife if 
the animal be young or with a chisel if the bones be hardened 
with age. Insert two fingers of each hand in the pelvic 
inlet and pull laterally until the pelvis is separated an inch 
or more at its symphysis. The pelvic organs may be re- 
moved together and separated later. Draw the penis 



INTERNAL EXAMINATIOxN OF DOG AND CAT 147 

straight back and place an incision through the skin com- 
pletely around the anus and penis or in the female incise 
the skin around the vulva. Free the organs from their 
peripheral attachments to the pelvis by cutting around 
them with a knife, using care to keep the cutting edge 
toward the pelvic bones to avoid injury to the soft struc- 
tures. Ovaries, uterus, vagina, bladder and rectum in the 
female, and penis, testicles, prostate and Cowper's gland, 
bladder and rectum in the male are extirpated together. 

Operative Technic for the Thoracic Cavity 

Sternum. — To remove the sternum incise the dia- 
phragm at its peripheral attachment to the sternum. Cut 
each asternal cartilage with the curved blade cartilage 
shears immediately above its costal articulation (Fig. 106) . 
The cartilages may be readily severed with a knife if the 
animal be young. Examine the articulations of ribs and 
asternal cartilages for the rosary appearance of rickets. 
Determine character and quantity of fluid if any be present. 

Heart and Lungs. — In ablation of the heart and lungs 
grasp the trachea and oesophagus immediately anterior to 
the heart and sever them at their entrance to the thorax. 
Next draw the heart and lungs upward and forcibly tear the 
mediastinum completely free from its spinal attachment. 

Operative Technic for the Head, Neck and Back 

Thyroid Glands. — Make a short incision through the 
sternohyoideus muscle on the median line of the neck down 
to the tracheal rings just posterior to the larynx (Fig. 106) . 
Lay the muscles back from the trachea on either side of the 
incision thus made and remove the thyroid and parathyroid 
glands. 



148 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

Tongue, Tonsils, Larynx, Trachea and Oesopha- 
gus. — Excise the muscles in the submaxillary space close 
to each ramus of the lower jaw, from the mandibular sym- 
physis to the angles of the rami (Fig. 106). These inci- 
sions must be made completely through the muscles into 
the oral cavity and should meet exactly at their anterior 
extremities in order to free the tongue from the mandible. 
After completing the incisions described, insert the forefin- 
ger of the left hand between the tongue and mandible and 
draw the tongue out of the oral cavity between the rami 
of the lower jaw. Hold the tongue back and cut through 
the soft palate and great rami of the hyoid bone, then draw 
tongue, tonsils, larynx, trachea and cesophagus upward and 
backward toward the thorax (Fig. 107), removing them 
together from the cadaver. 

Nasal Passages. — Place the cadaver in the ventral 
position, remove skin and musculature from the head, and 
cut away the soft portion of the nostrils. Saw transversely 
across the face at the base of the nose in front of the eyes. 
Place the sharp edge of the side chisel against the anterior 
orifices of the nasal passages and cut backward to the trans- 
verse incision. In small animals the nasal passages may 
be opened with cartilage or bone shears. In following the 
incisions described the frontal sinus and the cribiform plates 
of the ethmoid bone are exposed (Fig. 108) . 

Brain and Cord. — To take out the brain and cord 
together, complete the removal of the skin from the cadaver 
and excise all musculature from the head and back (Fig. 
108). Break off all the superspinous processes with the 
bone shears and then with the same instrument nip through 
the vertebra between the internal angles of the ilium until 
the meninges of the cord are exposed. If the animal be 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF DOG AND CAT 149 

young and the bone not too hard one may open the entire 
canal and cranium with the bone shears, which have short, 
thick, straight blades. To do this place the point of the left 
blade in the canal above and to the right of the cord, cut, 
and at the same time twist the handle upward to the right. 





Fig. 108. — Figure at the left shows the skin and musculature removed from nose, cal- 
varium and top of spine, preparatory to removing the nasal bone, calvarium and top of spinal 
canal. Figure at the right shows nasal bone, calvarium and top of spinal canal removed ex- 
posing nasal passages, brain and spinal cord. 

Then place the right blade in the canal above and to the 
left of the cord and twist to the left. By continuing this 
process the entire upper half of the spinal canal may be 
removed and the cord exposed. When the foramen mag- 
num is reached the calvarium may be removed by nipping 
to the right and left with the bone shears, following the base 



150 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

of the skull on either side. It may also be removed by- 
placing the point of a small side chisel in the foramen mag- 
num and cutting the bony wall, following the same line 
forward just above the zygomatic crest on either side and 
across the parietal bone anteriorly to meet the two lateral 
incisions. With considerable practice one may become quite 
expert at removing the calvarium with a small hatchet 
without injury to the meninges or brain. The same three 
lines are followed, one on either side of the parietal bone 
above the zygomatic crest from the foramen magnimi for- 
ward to the temporal part of the frontal bone and one across 
the parietal bone to join the two lateral incisions. On 
small animals these incisions may be effectuated by three 
slight blows with a sharp hatchet. When the bones of the 
spinal canal are very hard, as in old animals, a curved 
rachiotome is used to remove the cord. One must pene- 
trate the canal with the bone shears or saw through it trans- 
versely near the posterior end, then introduce the probe 
end of the rachiotome into the canal above and to one side 
of the cord, place the cutting edge against the bone and 
strike sharply on the head of the rachiotome with a wooden 
or rawhide mallet. An incision approximately an inch long- 
is made, then the instrument is transferred to the opposite 
side of the canal and a like incision made. By continuing 
this process the upper half of the spinal canal can be re- 
moved and, the excision of the meninges and cord be accom- 
plished with forceps and scalpel (Fig. 108). 

After the calvarium has been removed the meninges 
may be examined, incised longitudinally, and the brain 
lifted out by careful manipulation with fingers and a scalpel. 
When rabies is suspected one should be cautious in working 
about the teeth, brain and cord. If the head is to be sent 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF DOG AND CAT 151 

to a laboratory for examination, excise it close to the thorax 
to facilitate location of the ganglia. The ganglia nodosum 
and the superior cervical ganglia of the sympathetic nerve 
are those most frequently examined. To locate them lay 
open the jugular furrow and follow the vagus and sympa- 
thetic nerves, which are encased within a common sheath, to 
the base of the cranium. Cut the ganglia across at the point 
where the nerves emerge from the craniimi, and remove 
them. A single or double blade rachiotomy saw may be 
used to remove the cord. 



CHAPTER IX 

INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE MOUSE, 
GUINEA-PIG, RABBIT, FOWL AND ELEPHANT 

Operative Technic for the Mouse, Guinea-pig, and 

Rabbit 

The small animals are stretched out in the dorsal 
position and secured by pins run through the feet, or by 
twine or small chains attached to the legs and margins of 
the pan or post-mortem board. An incision is made 




Fig. 109. — Sternum freed by two lateral thoracic incisions and laid over the right 
side. Heart and lungs exposed. Abdominal flaps turned back. Spleen drawn straight out to 
the left side of cadaver. Intestines drawn to the right side. Liver, stomach and left kidney 
exposed. Testicles visible on either side of base of the tail. Uterus masculinus lies above the 
testicles and resembles the two horns of a ram. 

through the skin along the median line from the tip of the 
jaw to the anus, usually after wetting the hair with 5 per 
cent, carbolic acid solution. The skin is laid back from 
this incision on either side and the forelegs freed from the 
thorax. The abdominal cavity is opened with a longitudinal 

152 



INTEKNAL EXAMINATION 



153 




■S3 



154 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



incision through the belly muscles from sternum to pubis, 
and transverse incisions along the posterior border of the 
ribs to the back. The thoracic cavity is oj^ened by incising 
the asternal cartilages above their costal articulations with 




Fig. 111. — Autopsy of a rabbit. 



scalpel or scissors and removing the sternum. Exenteration 
of the various cavities is often imnecessary, but when de- 
sired may be accomplished, following the technic of the 
dog and cat (Figs. 109, 110, 111). 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION 155 

Operative Technic for the Fowl 
Saturate the fowl with 5 per cent, carbohc acid or creo- 
line solution and remove the feathers from the ventral 
surface. Place the cadaver in the dorsal position, disarticu- 
late the legs at the coxofemoral joint, and lay them out- 
ward from the body. Disarticulate the wings at the cora- 
coid-scapulohumeral joint. Open the abdomen with a 
longitudinal incision from the point of the sternum to the 
anus and transverse incisions along the posterior border 
of the ribs. To remove the breast and open the thorax 
incise the diaphragm at its peripheral attachments to the 
sternum, cut forward through the ribs with a knife or scis- 
sors, and disarticulate the sternum at the glenoid cavities. 
When removing the breast be careful to avoid injury to 
the ingluvies or crop (Fig. 112). 

After examination of the organs in mtu the entire 
digestive canal may be extirpated intact. To accomplish 
this make a longitudinal incision through the skin on the 
median line of the neck, from the point of the mandible to 
the thorax, and carefully dissect the integument away from 
the ingluvies or crop (Figs. 112, 113). Cut through the 
skin and muscles close to the inner side of the mandibular 
rami, draw the tongue and larynx out of the oral cavity, cut 
through the hyoid bone, and draw the tongue, larynx and 
oesophagus backward. Dissect the ingluvies free from the 
neck, then detach the oesophagus, proventriculus or true 
glandular stomach, gizzard or muscular stomach, and intes- 
tines from their positions and excise the rectum. The en- 
tire digestive tube may be placed on a table, the intestines 
disengaged from the mesentery and the entire tube opened 
with a sharp-pointed scissors. The spleen is oval or nearly 
round and easilv detached. The testicles of the male are 



156 



VETERINAHY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



quite large and quickly located. The liver may be freed 
from the diaphragm in the usual manner and the kidneys. 




^ 



Fig. 112. — Tlie incision on the median line of the neck is made first. The cervical 
structures are exposed and the crop dissected free from the breast and drawn forward. The 
coxofemoral joints are laid open by incisions between the legs and body. The abdomen is 
opened by one median and two lateral incisions and the flaps turned back. The lateral incis- 
ions are continued forward through the ribs to the coracoid-scapulo-humeral joint, and the 
sternum removed. 

which are deeply situated between the ribs, may be dis- 
sected out with the handle of a scalpel. The ovary of the 
female often contains man}^ ova and must be carefully 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION 



157 



manipulated to prevent injury to it or may not be removed 
at all. The oviduct should be taken out and opened the 



sternum removed 



Crop 



CsBca 




Muscular stomach 



Small intestines 



Fig. 113. — After making the incisions indicated by the red lines in Fig. 112. the crop 
is freed from the breast, wings and legs spread out from the body, flaps of the abdomen laid 
back, sternum removed, organs examined in situ, intestines drawn out of the abdomen and 
arranged as indicated and the crop is laid over the right wing. The cavities are then eviscerated. 

same as an intestine. The trachea, lungs and heart are 
extirpated together by pulling upward on them and sepa- 



158 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



rating the lungs from the back to which they are attached, 
by using the handle of a scalpel. Remove a femur and 




Heait 



First part of oesophagus 



Ingluvies or crop 



Second part of oesophagus 

Duodenum 

Pancreas 
Glandular stomach 

Muscular stomach 



Fig. 114. — Unopened organs of a chicken after evisceration. Digestive tract is intact, 
other organs separate. Jejunum and ileum extend from caudal end of pancreas to caeca. 
Structures are later opened and examined in the usual manner. 

break it transversely to expose the bone-marrow (Figs. 
113, 114). 

The following anatomical peculiarities should be ob- 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION 159 

served : Chickens have no hps, teeth, epiglottis or larjmgeal 
vocal cords. The trachea is composed of complete carti- 
laginous rings. The last ring is slightly dilated and a mem- 
branous layer is shown at the origin of the bronchi, the 
vibration of which produces sound. The lungs normally 
adhere to the arch of the thoracic cavity. The female 
usually has but one ovary, the other atrophying while the 
fowl is young. The ovary presents many ova in various 
stages of development. The oviduct is large and flexuous 
with an unfringed opening near the ovary. The yolk 
enters the oviduct and within the oviduct becomes sur- 
rounded by an albuminous covering and later by a protec- 
tive calcareous shell. The chicken has a proventriculus, 
succentric ventricle or glandular stomach, a muscular 
stomach or gizzard, and two CcTca. The spleen is red in 
color and round, oval, or disc-shaped. 

Operative Technic for the Elephant 

An elephant should be placed on its right side at aijtopsy 
to facilitate the removal of the intestines. After the skin 
has been removed the abdomen should be opened with 
xiphoid-pubic, pubic-lumbar incisions through the belly 
muscles as in the horse. The intestines may be removed 
together after incising the duodenum and rectum, and may 
be separated later. The other abdominal viscera may be 
ablated as those of the horse. As the skeleton is valuable, 
the ribs are not cut through to open the thorax. The exen- 
teration of that cavity is accomplished by removing the 
diaphragm. 

The elephant is not a ruminant and does not have four 
stomachs. The digestive apparatus is very similar to that 
of the horse. The lungs of the elephant present no lobes 



160 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

except a right and left. These are pyramidal in shape, 
with the base anterior. The stomach simulates that of the 
dog more than that of the horse. The left sac is not covered 
by flat, white epitlieliiim continued from the oesophagus 
as in the horse, but like the right sac is entirely covered 
by pink mucus secreting velvety tissue. The liver is bilo- 
bate, presenting a right and left lobe. The elephant, like 
the horse, has no gall-bladder. The kidneys are divided into 
lobules which are not as prominent as in the ox but are 
very distinct on section. 



CHAPTER X 
TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 

The foregoing discussion of the internal examination 
of different animals deals with the exenteration of cavities 
after examination of the relationship of organs, presence 
of fluids, foreign bodies, etc. In the autopsy room students 
working on the various parts of the large animals should 
first eviscerate the cavities and remove certain parts, follow- 
ing the technical methods above described, using not more 
than one hour of the time allowed for the work. The second 
hour or remainder of the period should be used in preparing 
the organs for examination by the application of further 
technic, and in carefidly and systematically describing each 
structure and lesion. The students of each group should 
open and describe the organs extirpated b}^ them. When 
all parts have been prepared, one of the students who was 
assigned to the head and neck should begin a description of 
the respiratory tract, starting with the nostrils, nasal pas- 
sages and sinuses, and following the system to the thorax. 
He should not miss any anatomical part of the respiratory 
system. All other students should give strict attention 
to his description and make mental notes to be used later in 
the general discussion to follow. 

When the respiratory organs have been described as 
far as the thorax, one of the students assigned to that part 
should take up the work and describe the remainder of that 
system, together with the visceral and parietal pleura. 
When these descriptions have been completed the student 
should make a pathologic-anatomical diagnosis on each 
individual structure described or state that in his opinion 

11 161 



162 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

the part presents no pathological alteration. The vascular 
system should then be described by the alternate student 
on the thorax and abdomen. He should describe the blood 
as it flowed from the axillary vessels when the foreleg was 
excised, the pericardium, heart, spleen, large blood-vessels 
and their principal branches, and render a pathologic- 
anatomical diagnosis on each. 

After completing the description of the respiratory 
and vascular systems, the second student on the head and 
neck shoidd take up the digestive system including salivary 
glands, from the lips to the thorax, where one of the students 
assigned to the thorax and abdomen should continue to de- 
scribe the digestive tube to the rectum, including the acces- 
sory organs of digestion, and conclude with a pathologic- 
anatomical diagnosis of each structure. The first student 
assigned to the pelvis should describe the rectum and anus 
and render diagnosis. The second student assigned to the 
pelvis should next describe the genito-urinary system, be- 
ginning with the kidneys and terminating with the external 
genitals. He should also describe the adrenals at this time. 
A diagnosis should follow the description. The alternate 
student assigned to the head and neck should describe the 
thyroid and thymus glands, eye, ear, and the brain and cord 
together with their meninges. The students assigned to 
the ductless glands, skin, subcutaneous and intermuscular 
connective tissue, blood, muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and 
pododerm, should next describe those structures and diag- 
nose pathological conditions found. The organ lymph- 
glands should be described with their corresponding parts. 

After all descriptions have been completed and a patho- 
logical diagnosis made on each structure, a general discus- 
sion should be held and the instructor so interrogate the 



TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 163 

students as to stimulate them to logical deductions based on 
the description of lesions found. They should try to deter- 
mine the primary and secondary lesions and the effect of 
those lesions upon the physiological function of the imme- 
diate and distant organs, the pathogenesis, and finally the 
cause of death. 

If the autopsy is done in the field, one should follow the 
same general system of description, diagnosis, conclusion 
and note taking. That is, he should begin at the head and 
describe the respiratory system to its termination, next the 
blood- vascular system, lymphatic, digestive, urogenital, and 
nervous system, eye, ear, ductless glands, skin, muscles, 
bones, cartilages, tendons, and pododerm. By following 
this routine one is not apt to overlook any organ or part 
that may be of vital importance, which will surely be the 
case if he is not systematic. 

The description of an organ, whether mental, written, 
or given orally before a class, should consist of a syste- 
matic routine in which some or all of the following points 
should be considered, i.e., position, size, weight, shape, color, 
odor, consistency, incision, incision fluid, cut-surface and 
contents. One should avoid the use of the word normal 
and unaltered as they create a disposition to slight the work 
and make one a poor observer. Even if the part, more 
especially the viscera, be normal one may describe it in 
very few well-chosen words, which may readily indicate that 
no pathological alteration is present. 

If an autopsy does not call for the inspection of certain 
parts which are obviously not involved, one should state 
that those parts were not examined. The word normal may 
be accepted in a report from an experienced pathologist in 
whose judgment and knowledge one may place implicit 



164 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



confidence, but the beginner should consider himself pre- 
sumptuous to use it. One must have much experience at 
the post-mortem table to be able to accurately determine 
the difference between that which is normal, that which is 
pathological, and that wliich presents the varying stages 
of post-mortem decomposition. 



A Comparison of Some British and Metric Units 

Degrees Fahrenheit = 9/5 C° +32. 
Degrees Centigrade = 5/9 F° =32. 
Capacity .... 

fl inch =25.4 milhmetres = 2.54 centimetres. 
1 foot =304.8 millimetres =30.48 centimetres. 

1 yard =91.44 centimetres. 

1 mile =1609.3 metres = 1.609 kilometres. 

Length . . . ■{ 5 miles = 8 kilometres (nearly). 

1 metre = 1000 millimetres = 39.37 inches. 

1 centimetre = 1/100 metre = 0.39 inch. 

1 kilometre =1000 metres = 0.62 mile. 
To convert millimetres into inches, X .039. Converse, X 25.4. 
To convert metres into yards, X 1.09. Converse, X .914. 

fl grain = 0.064 grammes = 64.8 milligrammes. 
1 ounce (avoir.) = 28.35 grammes = 457.5 grains. 
1 pound (avoir.) = 453.60 grammcs= 3^ kilogramme (approx.). 

1 cwt = 50.8 kilogrammes. 

Weight . . .\l ton = 1016. kilogrammes. 



1 kilogramme = 1000 grammes = 

1 gramme = 

1 milligramme = 1/1000 gramme = 

To convert grammes into ounces X 0.0352. 

To convert kilogrammes into pounds, X 2.2. 



2.2 pounds (avoir.). 
15.432 grains. 

0.0154 grain = 1/165 gr. (nearly). 
Converse, X 28.35. 
Converse, X 0.454. 



Capacity 



1 fluidounce 


= 28.4 cubic centimetres 


1 pint 


= 568.0 cubic centimetres 


1 gallon 


= 4.54 litres. 


1 peck 


= 9.08 litres. 


1 bushel 


= 36.32 litres. 


1 cubic inch 


= 16.38 cubic centimetres 


1 cubic foot 


= 28.33 litres. 



1 litre = 1000 cubic centimetres = 1.76 pints (imperial) =61 cu. im. 



1 cubic centimetre = 0.061 cubic inch = l gramme of distilled water at its 
greatest density. 

1 cubic metre=1000 litres = 35.3 cubic feet. 
To convert litres into pints, X 1.76. Converse, X .568. 
To convert litres into gallons, X 0.22. Converse, X 4.543. 
To convert litres into cubic feet, X 0.03532. Converse, X 28.33. (After F. Smith.) 



10 







:— 






: — 






: — 






:— 


c» 











'" 










— 






— 


U 




pN 




— 






. 


0> 







=. 


^ 


(Z3 







[=4 

as 




_ 


H 

3 


= 


- 


h^ 


— 


— 


S 


— 


— 


IT 


— 


10 - 


E 




"«• - 


= 






— 


■ 










— 












— 






= 


- 


<N - 


E 


_ 




E 


- 




Fia. 115. — Representation of certain familiar objects, with scales in millimeters and inches, useful for comparison in describing (be size and form of 

lesions found at post-mortem. (After Cattell). 



Fahrenheit. Centigrade. 

m/tltr boils 



SIS* 



Inches 


Cenfimefres 
I /5 




; 


— 




14- 


— ; 


~~ 13 


— 






— 




/o 






— 


= 


— 


=r 


-E 




— 


irr 


\ ■■ 


— !0 


— 




— 


r^ 




— 9 








= 






T 


= 8 




~~' 7 






— — ■ 


— c 











2 











— ■T- 








-::zi: 




i== 













O 













^ 1 ^ 








I 



200 — 



100* 



Fig. 1 16. — Scale for accurate measurement. ^O - 
(F. Smith.) 



;,r 




166 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

In describing structures one may compare the size of 
an organ or lesion with certain well- 
known objects, such as a pin's head, hen's 
egg, man's fist, child's head, etc., but 
should not too frequently state that an 
organ is a little larger or smaller than 
normal (Fig. 115). Exact measm'e- 
ments should be given in centimetres 
(Fig. 116) and metres and weights de- 
termined in grammes and kilogrammes. 
When possible the gross weight of a cad- 
aver should be obtained before the 
autopsy is begun to be used in comparison 
\ ^ with organ-weights. 

\ ( Tongue, Larynx, Trachea, 

Q^^SOPHAGUS AND ToNSiLs. — Extend 
these structures upon a table with the 
tongue pointing toward the autopsist. In- 
cise the tongue longitudinally in several 
places, then pass a knife under the isth- 
mus of the fauces and cut upward inmie- 
diately anterior to the epiglottis, exposing 
the tonsils. In the dog and cat the tonsils 
are eliptical and quite prominent; in the 
lary^xT trlchll ^and ffi'soi COW thc tousillar siuus is exposed and maj^ 

phagus. Isthmus of the i on i il l i j_l j. •! 1*1 

fauces incised and flaps DC lOUOWed tm'OUgll tO thC tOUSll WhlCll 

laid to the sides, exposing . • i c ^ o mi 

rudimentary tonsils, jg loCatcd OUtSldC OI tllC laUCCS. I llC 

Larynx, trachea and oeso- 

sar^l£ln''tne%%fne tonslls of thc horsc are rudimentary and 

mucous membranes, vocal ■■ . • . i i p t^ > l 

cords, and openings to lic at thc basc 01 tlic touguc whcre many 

laryngeal ventricles. , 

crj^pts are visible. They are about two 
inches long and one inch wide, showing many depressions 
like a Peyer's patch. The oesophagus is opened by 




TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 167 

passing the probe end of an enterotome into the anterior 
orifice and cutting through the dorsal wall of the entire 
cervical portion. After the mucous membrane of the 
oesophagus has been examined, pass the enterotome into the 
glottis and cut through the dorsal surface of the larynx, 
and continue the incision through the cervical portion of the 
trachea. Spread the larynx and trachea open and examine 
the thyroid, cricoid and arytenoid cartilages, vocal cords, 
ventricles, annular cartilages, and mucous membranes 
(Fig. 117).- 

Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands. — The parathy- 
roid glands lie on the anterior surface of the thyroid glands 
of the horse, dog, and cat, and near the posterior end in the 
cow. They are closely applied to the thyroids and are 
removed with them. To incise the thyroid gland hold it 
between the thimib and first two fingers of the left hand 
narrow edge uj)ward. Cut downward through the organ, 
severing it in halves. The thyroid gland of small animals 
may be placed upon a table and incised longitudinally. 

OESOPHAGUS. — The technic of the cervical portion of the 
oesophagus was described with that of the larynx and 
trachea with which it was removed. The thoracic portion 
is opened with an enterotome in the same manner, when 
the technic is performed upon the heart and lungs, as that 
part of the oesophagus is extirpated with these organs. 

Bronchi, Lungs, and Lymph-glands. — To separate 
the heart from the lungs grasp it by the apex, hold it up- 
ward, and sever the large blood-vessels. After the heart 
has been severed from the lungs, place the latter upon a 
table with the dorsal aspect upward, trachea toward the 
autopsist. Insert an enterotome in the trachea and cut 



168 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

through the dorsal surface to the bronchi. Lay open the 
bronchi in the same manner. The visceral pleura, which is 
normally smooth and shiny, should be carefully observed 
for adhesions, white patches, and other changes. Next 
palpate the lungs thoroughly for nodules, areas of consoli- 
dation, etc. Turn the trachea away from the autopsist and 
cut each lobe of the lung into sections by making longi- 
tudinal incisions an inch or two apart through the entire 
thickness of the lung. Scrape the surface of the cut sections 
with the sharp edge of a knife and if foam can be collected 
upon the blade lung oedema is indicated. After this test 
has been made grasp each section between the thumb and 
fingers at the anterior end of the lung and slide the hand 
along to the posterior end of the section. Should any 
nodules be present they may readily be felt as the thumb 
and fingers pass over them. In most cases of glanders one 
need only to pass the hand over the visceral pleura and apply 
slight pressure to determine the presence of nodules which 
feel like shot of various sizes embedded in the tissue. When 
the lung presents a firm consistency a very small piece of 
it should be excised with a sharp-pointed scissors and placed 
in a glass of water. If the piece sinks some form of pneu- 
monia or atelectasis is indicated. When the lung is soft 
but small fountains of mucus can be expressed from the 
cut surface a small piece of tissue should be excised at those 
points with sharp-pointed, fine scissors and tested in water. 
The bronchial lymph-glands may be located anterior 
to each bronchus at its origin from the trachea in the 
obtuse angle made by the trachea and each bronchus. The 
anterior mediastinal lymph-glands are located in the ante- 
rior mediastinum along the trachea and the posterior glands 



TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 169 

are situated in the posterior mediastinum along the dorsal 
wall of the oesophagus and in dogs between the bronchi in 
the acute angle made by those tubes at their origin. These 
glands should be cut longitudinally into thin sections 
(Fig. 118). 




Fig. 118. — Lungs after opening trachea and bronchi and making parallel longitu- 
dinal incisions through the parenchyma. Each section is passed between the thumb and fingers 
in examination for nodules. Bronchial lymph glands are in the obtuse angles and mediastinal 
lymph glands in the acute angle of the tracheal bifurcation. 



Pericardium and Pericardial Fluid. — The opening 
of the pericardial sac and care of the pericardial fluid of 
large animals was described in the discussion of evisceration 
of the thoracic cavity. The heart and lungs of small ani- 
mals are removed without opening the pericardial sac. Be- 
fore performing the technic on the heart of small animals, 
a sharp-pointed scissors is passed through the pericardium 
near the apex and a vertical incision made toward the base 



170 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

of the organ. Care should be taken not to contaminate or 
lose the fluid until its quantity and character can be 
determined. 

Heart. — The heart may be opened with autopsy knife, 
scalpel, enterotome or sharp-pointed scissors, depending 




Fig. 119. — No. 1 m series. Proper position of the heart at autopsy. Right side toward 
the autopsist s right. Apex proximal and base distal to the autopsist. The first incision is 
made through the wall of the right auricle and ventricle from the base toward the apex at the 
right of the coronary sulcus. A similar incision is made through the wall of the left ventricle 
and auncle to the left of the sulcus. 

upon the size of the organ. Place the heart of a large ani- 
mal upon the table, apex toward the autopsist, right side 
of the heart to the autopsist's right and the left side to his 
left. The right ventricular wall is thinner than the left and 
the apex of the heart is formed by the left ventricular wall. 



TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 171 

When placed in this position the terminal portion of the 
coronary artery lies almost vertically from the base to the 
apex of the ventricles and directly over the edge of the 
median septum. The first incision is made longitudinally 
parallel to and one inch to the right of the coronary artery 
from base to apex through the wall of the right ventricle 



Biscuspid valves 



Median septum Tricuspid valves 




Fig. 120.— No. 2 in series. Right and left cavities of the heart opened after completing 
incisions indicated in Fig. 119. Tricuspid and bicuspid valves exposed. 

(Fig. 119) . One should hold the knife in a full hand grip 
to make this incision and cut downward through the right 
ventricular wall, taking care to cut no deeper than the 
thickness of the wall. When the wall of the right ventricle 
has been incised from base to its lower end near the apex, 
turn the knife with the cutting edge upward and force the 
point under the tricuspid valves at the superior end of the 
incision. Cut upward through the tricuspid valves and 



172 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



continue the incision through the auricular wall in a direct 
line with the incision just made through the wall of the 
ventricle. Next lay the right auricle and ventricle open, cut 
the cordfe tendin^e and examine the contents. Wash out 
the auricle and ventricle with water and examine the tricus- 




Fig. 121. — No. 3 in series. The entire heart as seen in Fig. 120 is here inverted. The 
right side is now toward the autopsist's left and the left side toward his right. The incision 
at the left is continued upward along the median septum through the right ventricular wall to 
the pulmonary artery and that structure opened exposing pulmonary semilunar valves Fig. 
122. The incision at the right is continued upward along the median septum through the left 
ventricular wall which is laid to the right and the aorta opened, exposing its semilunar valves 
Fig. 123. 

pid valves, columns carnje, parietal endocardium, and 
venous openings into the right auricle (Fig. 120) . 

To open the left ventricle make a similar parallel inci- 
sion one and one-half inches to the left of the coronary 
artery from the hase of the heart to the apex (Fig. 119). 
One must cut deeply as the left wall may he two inches thick. 



TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 



173 



With this incision completed turn the knife with the cutting 
edge upward, force it under the hiscuspid valves and cut 
upward through them at the superior end of the incision 
just completed. After incising the bicuspid valves, con- 
tinue the incision through the wall of the left auricle in a 




Fk;. 122. — No. 4 in series. Heart in same relative position as in Fig. 121. The first 
incision (left) in Fig. 121 has been completed, right ventricular wall laid outward to the left 
and pulmonary semilunar valves exposed. 



direct line with the left ventricular incision. Lay open the 
left auricle and ventricle and proceed as with the right side 
of the heart (Fig. 120). 

In opening the pulmonary artery and aorta for exam- 
ination of their semilunar valves, next turn the heart com- 
pletely over so that the right side is at the autopsist's left 



174 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

and the left at his right (Fig. 121). With the left hand 
grasp the thin right ventricle wall, which is now at the autop- 
sist's left, raise it upward and observe the junction of the 
wall with the median septum. With a knife or enterotome 
cut through the wall of the right ventricle close to and 
to the left of the septum from the inferior end of the incision, 
upward toward the base of the heart (Fig. 121). When 
close to the pulmonary artery withdraw the knife and invert 
the artery at its origin just enough to observe the points 
at which each cup of the semilunar valves joins its neighbor. 
Cut between the two cups so as to keep each intact, then 
cut through the wall of the artery and lay it open. Wash 
the inside of the artery and examine valves and intima 
(Fig. 122). 

To open the aorta grasp the apex of the heart with the 
left hand and raise it upward. With a knife cut vertically 
through the left ventricular wall close to and to the right of 
the septum (Fig. 121) until the wall is almost completely 
free from it. Raise the bicuspid valve upward and expose 
the aortic opening. The points at which the cups of the 
aortic semilunar valve join each other are visible without 
inverting the aorta. Insert the knife in the aortic opening 
with the cutting edge upward. Place the cutting edge close 
to the handle on a point between two cups of the valve and 
cut upward a quarter of an inch, then keeping the knife 
firmly in the incision cut outward to the right, avoiding 
injury to the semilunar valves of the pulmonary artery 
which lie directly above those of the aorta when the 
heart is in this position, and expose aortic semilunar valves 
(Fig. 123). 

Examine the origin of the coronary artery, aortic semi- 
lunar valves, thickness of the aortic wall, and the intima. 



TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 



175 



With small scissors open the entire coronary artery. Incise 
the myocardium with long smooth incisions, examine sur- 
face of cut sections, and press the thumb into the muscle to 
determine the consistency. 

The heart of small animals may be opened, following 



Aortic semilunar valves 




Fig. 123. — No. 5 in series. Heart in same relative position as shown in Fig. 122. This 
illustration shows the second incision (right) described in Fig. 121 completed and the left ven- 
tricular wall laid to the right, median septum rotated to the left and aorta opened exposing its 
semilunar valves. 



the same lines, but small, sharp-pointed scissors should be 
used, and the heart may be held in the palm of the hand. 

Various hydrostatic and pneumatic tests are used in 
determining the competency of the valves, but their value is 
not now considered of such importance as it once was. 

An incision is first made into the left auricle, and any 











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TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 177 

post-mortem clots are carefully removed from the left 
chambers through it. Another incision large enough to 
admit the nozzle of a half -inch tube is made into the ven- 
tricle near its apex and in the line of that required for laying 
it fully open. The tube is joined to the bellows and air 
driven intermittently into the ventricle by means of it, the 
aorta having been meanwhile closed. The valve will be 
seen to open and close, according as the air is aspirated 
or driven out of the bellows. A like procedure is adopted 
for the demonstration of the tricuspid. To test the aortic 
valve, the incision before described as necessary to lay 
open the left ventricle is continued up as close to the valve 
as possible without injuring it. The tube is tied into the 
aorta, and the action of the valve is watched from below. 
The same method is used to test the competency of the 
pulmonary artery valve (Hamilton). 

The same general procedure may be used with water, 
excluding the bellows. A slice of the ajjex is cut off, open- 
ing both ventricles so that water may be poinded into each 
ventricle separately to test the aiu'iculoventricular valves 
after the large arteries have been closed. In testing the 
semilunar valves the arteries should be trimmed down so 
that the valves are visible, then the vessel filled with water 
and the action of the valve noted from below after opening 
the ventricle. 

Spleen. — Take the measurement of the spleen of the 
horse in centimetres along both legs of the right angle and 
the hypotenuse (Fig. 124). Make several incisions longi- 
tudinally through the organ and measure the thickness 
(Fig. 125). On cut section the spleen pulp, Malpighian 
corpuscles, trabecuke and capsule are examined. The 
spleen of other animals is incised and inspected in the same 

12 




Fig. 124. — Spleen of a horse. Dotted lines for measuring the organ on both legs of the right 
angle and the hypotenuse of the triangle. Solid lines for incisions through the organ. 




Fig. 12.'>. — After incisions have been made through the spleen, exposing cut surface for exami- 
nation of trabeculae, pulp, and Malpighian corpuscles. 



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180 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

manner and the length and maximum width at each end 
taken in centimetres. 

The cut surface of a normal spleen is flat, pulp brownish 
red, Malpighian corpuscles invisible or only very faintly 
visible, trabecule visible as a meshwork of fine white lines, 
and the capsule is adherent and tough. In passive con- 
gestion the cut surface is convex, pulp black and jam-like, 
trabecultE and Malpighian bodies invisible. Local areas of 
passive congestion simulating hemorrhagic infarcts consti- 
tute multiple spleen tumors. They are oval or round, blue 
or black swellings the size of a walnut or larger and on sec- 
tion are black and jam-like. In follicular hyperplasia of 
the spleen the pulp is brownish red, trabeculte visible, and 
Malpighian corpuscles are distinctly visible, as numerous, 
elevated, tapioca-like, round white bodies in the pulp. The 
spleen is usually congested in the course of nearly all septi- 
caemias and following chronic diseases of the heart, lungs 
and liver. It is enlarged in leukaemia, pseudoleukemia and 
amyloid degeneration. It may undergo atrophy from 
chronic interstitial splenitis, or show simple, or brown 
atrophy, tumors, etc. 

Stomach. — The stomach should be opened with an 
enterotome by incising the wall on the great curvature from 
the oesophageal opening to the duodenum. When the 
latter structure remains attached to the stomach the incision 
should be continued through it to the terminal ligation and 
the openings of the bile and pancreatic ducts should be 
examined. The contents of the stomach are removed and 
separated and the mucous membrane thoroughly washed 
and closely inspected (Fig. 126). 

With ruminants one should use an enterotome and open 



TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 181 

the abomasiim on its great curvature, beginning at the 
duodenum and continuing through the natural opening into 
the omasum. When this opening has been examined sever 
the omasum in halves with a knife. Next pass an entero- 
tome through the opening from the omasum to the reticu- 




FiG. 12G. — Line of incision in opening stomach and duodenum 

lum, incise the wall of that structure and lay it open. The 
contents should be removed and the mucous membrane in- 
spected for foreign bodies. The opening from the reticulum 
is next located and the rumen opened by a transverse inci- 
sion through its wall. The contents of the rumen and the 
mucous membrane are then closely observed. 



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184 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

Intestines of the Horse. — The small intestine is 
separated from the mesentery at the time it is removed. 
It should be opened with an enterotome, washed, and laid 
out with mucous membrane upward. The duodenum re- 
mains with the stomach and is opened at the time that organ 
is prepared. The double colon and caecum are laid upon 
the floor and unfolded. The caecum is laid to the right of 
the colon, apex toward the loop end of the later. To open 
the great colon and csecum insert an enterotome in the 
terminal end of the colon and cut through the wall of the 
fourth portion or stomach-like dilation of that structure, 
toward the ligamentous bands which hold together its two 
great lengths. Continue the incision a little above the liga- 
ment to the loop end of the colon, thus completing the inci- 
sion through the fourth and third portions. At the loop 
turn back and cut close to the ligamentous band through 
the wall of the second and first portions of the colon. Cut 
through the caecocolic opening. Incise the wall of the 
caecimi, beginning at the great curvature of the head and 
continuing down the side to the blind point of that struc- 
ture. Insert the enterotome into the stump of the ileum 
and cut through it into the cacum exposing the ileocEecal 
valve (Fig. 127). Lay back the intestinal walls from the 
incisions and expose the contents. When the contents have 
been observed grasp the margin of the incision through the 
wall of the great colon and raise it upward gently, allowing 
the contents to fall to the floor. Later scrape the remaining 
ingesta from the gut with a knife blade and wash the mucous 
membrane of the colon and caecum, then lay the structures 
out on the floor with the mucous membrane upward. An 
attendant should be present during the procedure and re- 
move the ingesta to a refuse can and flush the floor with 



TECHNIC AND DESCRIFIION OF ORGANS 185 




Fig. 127. — Double colon and caecum, origin of single colon and termination of ileum at 
the point it enters the csecum. Lines of incision for opening them. Proper position for autopsy 
viewed from above. 



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188 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

water as soon as the intestinal contents have been exam- 
ined. The rectum should be dissected from the vagina and 
opened with an enterotome. 

Intestines of Ruminants. — The intestines of rumi- 
nants are first separated from the mesentery. This is most 
satisfactorily accomplished with a knife. Grasp the duo- 
denum with the left hand and raise it upward from the 
floor. With a knife in the right hand cut downward through 
the mesentery close to the intestine until the separation is 
complete. The loops of the colon may be torn free with 
the fingers. Spread the mesentery out flat upon the table 
and incise the mesenteric lymph-glands. To open the intes- 
tine insert an enterotome in the duodenum and cut through 
the mesenteric side of the gut to the cjecum. Open the 
caecum to its blind end and then open the colon. The rectum 
is dissected from the vagina and opened in the same manner. 
The intestinal contents should be carefully examined, then 
the mucous membrane washed with water from a hose or 
by passing the gut through a tub of water. When thor- 
oughly cleaned it is laid out upon the floor with the mucous 
membrane upward for fiu-ther observation. The intestinal 
canal of sheep is about twenty-six times the length of the 
body. 

Intestines of Swine. — As with ruminants the small 
intestines are separated from the mesentery, opened, washed 
and laid out flat with mucous membrane upward. The 
mesentery is spread out and the mesenteric lymph-glands 
incised. In structure the colon appears to be first doubled, 
then arranged in spiral coils, forming a wide base and a 
narrow apex which is formed by the loop of the double colon 
(Fig. 104) . To disengage the coils dissect out the loop end 



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190 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

of the doubled colon at the apex, then cut through the 
mesentery around the coils between each layer down to the 
base. After the coils have been cut free from each other 
lay the doubled colon out straight and with the fingers or a 
knife separate the two lengths of gut, beginning at the free 
extremities which previously constituted the base and con- 
tinuing to the loop which was formerly the apex of the 
coiled structure. The colon may now be laid out straight 
and opened, washed and prepared for examination as other 
intestines. The ctecum takes its origin at the point where 
the diameter of the colon is the greatest. The enterotome 
should be passed through the ileum into the caecum, thus 
opening the ileocecal valve. 

Intestines of the Dog and Cat. — The intestines may 
best be removed from the mesentery without the use of 
knife or scissors. Grasp the duodenal end of the intestines 
between the thumb and fingers of the right hand, and the 
mesentery opposite this point with the thimib and fingers of 
the left hand, then apply traction gently and pull them 
apart. Nearly the entire intestine may be separated from 
the mesentery at the first application of traction. Lay the 
intestine out on a table and open it with an enterotome, cut- 
ting through the side of the mesenteric attachment to avoid 
injury to the lymph- follicles which lie opposite the attach- 
ment of the mesentery. Open the cfecum with a sharp- 
pointed scissors. Scrape off the bulk of intestinal contents, 
then pass the entire opened intestine between the first two 
fingers of the left hand held with the first finger upward 
and the palm toward the body. In doing this draw the gut 
away from the autopsist and maintain the mucous mem- 





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Serosa gray or white. 

Muscularis grayish 

pink. Mucosa gray 

or pink. 
Serosa tough. Mucosa 

soft. Walls pliable. 


Arranged i n close coils 
and lie on left side 
and floor of abdo- 
men, from stomach 
to pelvis, some 
against right flank. 

Ca 15-20 m. (50-65') 
long. 2-4 cm. in 
diameter. 

Tube, coiled 


1 

5' 


~- 


- 


Ca 60 cm. (2') long. 
Mesentery 1-6 cm. 
long. 

Bile duct enters 2.5-5 
cm. (1-2") from py- 
lorus . Pancreatic 
duct 10-15 cm. (4- 
6") beyond it. 






c 



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4") diameter 

Cylindrical . . . 


O 

s 

c 
B 






Inrightflank attached 
by mesentery to sub- 
lumbar region. 

4-5 m. (15') long. 
Ca 8-10 cm. (3-4") 
at csecum decreasing 
to 4-6 cm. (1.5-2") 
in diameter. 

Tube arranged in 
three double spiral 
coils. Has appear- 
ance of bee hive. 


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surrounded by fat. 

Ca 10-15 cm. (4-6") 
long. 

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TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 



193 



brane upward. Observe the mucous membrane and Peyer's 
patches before and after the gut has been drawn through 
the hand. Spread the mesentery out upon the table and 
incise the mesenteric lymph-glands. 




Fig. 128. — Liver properly incised. It is then inverted and incisions made in the large blood- 
vessels and bile ducts. 

Liver. — The liver is separated from the diaphragm 
when these structures are extirpated together and laid upon 
a table with the anterior or convex side upward. The thick- 
ness is measured by placing a rule in a vertical position 

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TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 195 

beside the organ and then balancing a loiife in a horizontal 
position upon the thickest pai^t of the liver. The thickness 
in centimetres is read at the point at which the knife-blade 
meets the rule. The liver is then cut in thin sections by 
making long, smooth incisions through it with a sharp knife 
(Fig. 128) . The capsule is stripped off by seizing it with 
the thumb-nail at the margin of one of the incisions. By 
so doing one may determine whether an acute or chronic 
process be present. The consistency is determined by 
pressing the fingers through the parenchyma. The organ 
is inverted and the gall-bladder, when present, together 
with the bile-duct should be opened with a sharp-pointed 
scissors, or a knife. 

The factors of description should be followed closely in 
dealing with the liver. If the organ be swollen the margins 
are usually rounded instead of sharp. When degenerated 
the consistency is friable instead of firm when pressed be- 
tween the thumb and fingers. In chronic processes the cap- 
sule is adherent, due to the increase of interstitial qonnec- 
tive tissue which attaches to the capsule. In acute cases 
exudate and degenerated epithelium tend to soften and 
weaken the interstitial connective tissue at its capsular 
attachment so that it strips with ease. On section a nutmeg 
appearance is commonly seen in degenerative processes, and 
in passive congestion blue blood is contained and runs 
from the cut surface. Normally the liver has no odor but 
in post-mortem decomposition it is present. 

Pancreas. — The pancreas is not frequently the seat 
of pathological alterations. One should test the consistency 
of the organ with the fingers and make several long inci- 
sions through it. 





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TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 



197 



Kidney. — To prepare the kidney of a large animal 
place the organ upon the table on one of its flat surfaces. 
Place the palm of the left hand upon the kidney and press 
downward with sufficient force to keep the organ steady 
and in one position. The ends of the fingers of the left hand 
should extend away from the autopsist and toward the 
convex margin of the organ. With a knife held horizon- 




FiG. 129. — Correct position of hands, knife and kidney, for opening that organ, ^'iewed from 

above. 

tally make one smooth incision through the kidney from 
the convex margin through the parenchyma to the hilus, 
severing the kidney in halves so that it may be laid open 
like a book (Fig. 129). Lay the organ open, wash the 
cut surfaces, and strip the capsule with the thumb-nail 
(Fig. 130). 

The kidney of small animals is held between the thumb 
and first finger of the left hand dorsal side upward. To 



198 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

section the organ cut downward from the dorsal surface 
through the kidney to the pelvis of the organ, dividing it 
in halves. 

Normally the capsule is smooth, thin, transparent, and 
loosely attached to the parenchyma. In chronic inflamma- 
tory processes it is firmly adherent due to junction with 
increased interstitial connective tissue. At the point of 
separation, in stripping the capsule, a white line is visible 




Fig. 130 — Kidney opened like a book after completing the incision indicated in Fig. 129. 

and a crackling, tearing sound is heard as the capsule is 
pulled from the intertubular connective tissue. In acute 
inflammatory processes the capsule strips with ease, due to 
softening of the interstitial connective tissue at its capsular 
attachments. 

After stripping the capsule, describe the cortex, inter- 
mediate zone, medulla, and pelvis. Normally the cortex 
of the kidney of large animals may very faintly show 
myriads of tiny, round, red bodies which are the glomeruli. 
In hyperaemia and acute inflammation these bodies stand 



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200 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

out prominently, larger than a pin-head all over the cortex, 
which also shows alternating red and yellow lines. The red 
lines are the hyjjera^niic blood-vessels in the interstitial 
connective tissue, and the yellow lines the degenerated epi- 
thelium of the tubules. The intermediate zone is dark red, 
since being composed of great numbers of arciform blood- 
vessels the zone is capable of containing relatively more 
blood during hyper^emia of the kidney and therefore ap- 
pears darker. The medulla is swollen, dark red or yellow, 
translucent, and striated with dark red lines which are 
dilated blood-vessels. In acute inflammatory processes 
the pelvis may show slimy, tiu'bid, mucopurident material. 
In chronic inflammatory processes the cortex may show 
thick, white lines, which are composed of increased inter- 
stitial connective tissue, or the whole cut surface may be 
white and fibrous and the capsule white, opaque, and pitted 
with areas which become depressed by contraction of the 
intertubular connective tissue at points of contact with the 
capsule. 

Adrenals. — The adrenal is held between the thumb and 
fingers of the left hand with the narrow edge upward. The 
organ is divided into halves by cutting downward through 
the narrow edge. The adrenals seldom show many patho- 
logical changes. They undergo degeneration very rapidly, 
in which condition the cortex is very yellow and friable or 
soft and the medulla is soft and macerated. In the horse 
the surface nearly always presents oval nodules from the 
size of a pin-head to that of a pea. These are hypernephro- 
mata and seldom of any consequence. 

Vagina, Uterus, Ovaries, and Urinary Bladder. — 
The rectum is dissected from the vagina and opened with 
an enterotome. The vagina, uterus, ovaries and bladder 



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VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



are laid out on the table with the dorsal aspect upward, as 
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Os uterus' 



Vagina 



U. bladder 




Fig. 131. — Vagina, u. bladder, body os, and right horn of the uterus and right ovary opened, 
left horn and ovary not opened. 



the median line through the dorsal wall to the cervix. In- 
sert the probe end of the enterotome into the cervix, incise 
it and cut through the dorsal wall of the uterus. Lay open 



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204 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



the uterine horns in the same manner and cut the ovaries 
in halves, following the technic applied to the kidneys of 
small animals. The Fallopian tubes may be opened with 
a sharp-pointed scissors. After examination of the mucous 
membrane of the vagina pass the probe end of an enterotome 
into the urinary meatus and open the urethra and urinary 
bladder. The ureters may be opened with a sharp-pointed 
scissors (Fig. 131). 

Brief Descriptive Table of Normal Ovary 



Factors 


Mare 


Cow 


Sow 


Bitch 


Position 


Sublumbar region ca 10 


A little above the 


Same as in 


In contact with pos- 




cm. (4") back of cor- 


middle of the 


cow. 


terior pole of cor- 




responding kidney 


lateral margin of 




responding kidney. 




and 5 cm. (2") from 


pelvic inlet. Ca 








corresponding horn of 


40-45 cm. (Ib- 








uterus. 


17") from vulva 
in medium size 
cow. 






^17*^ 


In old animals ca 7-8 
cm. (2.5-3") long. 


Ca 3-4 cm. (1.2- 
1.6") long. Ca 




Pea to pecan size. 


012c 








Ca 3-4 cm. (1.2-1.6") 


2 cm. (0.8") 








thick. Larger in 


thick. 








young animals. 








Weight 


40-80 grams, (ca 1.5- 
3 oz.) 


Ca 15-20 grams 
(0.5-0.75 oz.) 






Shape 


Bean shape 


Oval. Pointed at 


Mulberry like. 


Oval, elongated and 




uterine end. 




flattened. Surface 










may show round 










elevations due to 










projection of Graf- 










fian follicles. 


Color 


White or gray 


White 


White 


White or yellow. 


Consistency . 


Firm 


Firm 


Firm 


Firm. 


yjaoT 

Contents .... 


. Graffian follicles as ves- 


Various size fol- 


Numerous 


On section numer- 




icles up to 1 cm. (0.4") 


licles and cor- 


Graffian fol- 


ous round corpora 




in diameter near and 


pora lutea o r 


licles project 


lutea may be seen 




protruding from the 


yellow bodies. 


from surface 


at periphery. 




surface. Corpus ru- 




producing 






bruni, blood clot filling 




mulberry 






ruptured Graffian fol- 




shape. 






licle. Corpus luteum 










of pregnancy is yellow 










due to proliferated 










transformed follicle 










cells replacing blood 










clot in ruptured folli- 










cle. Corpus albicans 










is a scar which re- 










places corpus luteum 










if impregnation does 










not take place. 









Udder of the Cow^ — After the udder has been dis- 
sected from the cadaver a longitudinal incision is made 



TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 205 

on the median line between the two divisions of the udder, 
from the base downward completely dividing the organ into 
two lateral halves (Fig. 132) . Each half is then laid upon 
its median surface, teats toward the autopsist. It is then 
divided longitudinally by cutting horizontally from the 
base through the parenchyma, milk cistern, and teat canals 





u 





Fig. 132. — The udder divided into its two lateral halves. Part of tissue cut away to 
expose supramammary lymph glands. The left half is to the left and the right half to the right. 

toward the obducent so that each half may be laid open like 
a book. Thus, when the left half is laid open toward the 
autopsist, the left anterior quarter is toward the left, and 
left posterior quarter toward the right. When the right 
half is opened the right anterior quarter is toward the light 
and the right posterior quarter toward the left (Fig. 133). 
Each supramammary lymph-gland is severed longitu- 



206 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



dinally. One is almond size and lies slightly anterior 
to the other. The second is approximately 7X5X1 cm. 
(Sven Wall). 

The incision of the udder under physiological conditions 




Fig. 133. — The left half of the udder is toward the left and the right half toward the 
right. Tha left half shows the left anterior quarter toward the left, left posterior quarter toward 
the right with small piece of its tissue removed to expose left supramammary lymph gland. 
The right half shows right anterior quarter toward the right and right posterior quarter toward 
the left with a small piece of its tissue removed to expose right supramammary lymph gland. 
Each udder-half is laid open like a book exposing cut surface of parenchyma and milk cisterns. 
Before opening, each half is laid with its median surface downward upon the table, lateral sur- 
face upward, abdominal margin distal and teats proximal to the autopsist 



is more or less succulent, as milk appears upon section. The 
cut-surface of the udder bulges so that it is convex. It 
shows a fine network of connective tissue, which, like a very 
fine, thin, framework, surrounds an indefinite number of 
lentil to pea size, rounded, delicate lobule in which the milk 



TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION CF ORGANS 207 

filled tubul^E are just barely visible as minute, white milk 
points. During the lactation period the lobulte are grayish 
white and during the dry period yellow. The consistency 




Fig 134. — Showing urethra, bladder, seminal vesicles, etc., laid open. 

is soft and elastic on pressure but very tough and resistant 
to tearing. The cisterns and the teat canals contain more 
or less milk and the mucous membranes are white and uni- 
form (SvenWall). 



208 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



Penis, Seminal Vesicles, Cowper's and Prostate 
Glands, Urinary Bladder, and Testicles. — The rec- 
tum which is removed from the pelvic cavity with the 
genitals is dissected free and laid open with an enterotome. 
The penis and adjacent structures are laid upon the table 
ventral side upward. The prepuce is cut away from the 




v. bladder 

Ureteral orifices 

Prostate 

Prostatic ducts 

Cowper's gland 

Ducts of 
urethral glands 



Vesiculse seminales 

Ejaculatory ducts 

Ducts of 
urethral glands 

Ducts of 
Cowper's glands 

Urethra 



Fig. 135. — Urethra, bladder, seminal vesicles and vasa deferentia laid open, showing orifices 

of glands, etc. 



penis and laid open. The probe end of the enterotome is 
inserted in the uretliral opening of the penis and passed 
backward through the ventral wall of the urethra to the 
end of the organ, and continued through the wall of the 
urinary bladder. The openings of the seminal vesicles of 
the horse may be easily located and these structures opened 
with an enterotome. The prostate and Cowper's glands 
are small in the gelding. In canines the prostates are well 



TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 



209 



developed and in old dogs are sometimes very large. The 
testicles should be severed in halves, following technic simi- 
lar to that of the kidney (Figs. 134, 135) . 

Brief Descriptive Table of Normal Testicles 



Factors 


Horse 


Ox 


Pig 


Dog 


Position 

Size 


In scrotum in inguinal 
region. Long axis 
nearly longitudinal. 
Epididymis overlaps 
external surface of 
anterior dorsal border. 

Ca 10-12 cm. (4-5") 
long. Ca 6-7 cm. (2.5 
-2.8") high. Ca 4-5 
cm. (1.6-2") wide. 

Ca 300 grams (10.5 oz.) 
Sisson. Left 160 
grams (5.5 oz.), right 
140 grams (5 oz.) 
Schmey. 

Ovoid 

Gray 


In scrotum further 
forward, in in- 
guinal region, 
than in the horse. 
Long axis ver- 
ticle. 

Ca 10-17 cm. (4- 
6.8") long. Ca 
6-9 cm. (ca 2.5- 
3.6"). 

Ca 250-500 grams 
(8.8-17.6 oz.). 

Oval 


On posterior 
aspect of 
body close to 
the anus in 
scrotum 
not sharply 
defined. 

Very large. . . . 

Ovoid 

Gray 

Soft 


Posterior aspect of 
the body half way 
between anus and 
inguinal region. 
(No seminal vesi- 
cles in dog). 

Relatively small. 


Weight 

Shape ... . 


Round or oval. 


Color 


Pale yellow 


Gray. 




Firm 




Odor 

Contents . . 









Brain and Meninges. — After the brain has been re- 
moved it is placed upon a table with the dorsal side upward. 

Table of Weights of Normal Brain 

Weight: Horse Ca 650*grammes =0.12 per cent, of body weight. 
Ox Ca 280 grammes =0.096 per cent, of body weight. 
Swine Ca 120 grammes =0.1 per cent, of body weight. 
Sheep Ca 120 grammes =0.17 per cent, of body weight. 
Goat Ca 130 grammes =0.26 per cent, of body weight. 

fMartin) 



Absolute weight 


Relation to body 
weight 


Relation of cord 
to brain 


Horse 517-770 grammes 
Ass 334-392 grammes 
Ox 490-530 grammes 
Sheep 109-143 grammes 
Goat 124-130 grammes 
Swine 98-162 grammes 
Dog 54-180 grammes 
Cat 21- 35 grammes 
Rabbit 8- 14 grammes 




400-700 
250-450 
600-770 
130-400 
130-300 
162-970 
25-350 
22-180 
110-440 


1 : 2.27 
1 : 2.4 
1 : 2.3 
1 : 2.18 
1 : 2.6 
1 : 2.6 
1 : 5.14 
1 : 3.75 
1 : 2 
Ellenberger and 
Baum. 



medulla oblongata extending tow^ard the autopsist and the 
olfactory lobes extending in the opposite direction. Spread 
the hemispheres of the cerebrimi slightly apart and with a 

14 



210 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



sharp brain knife make a longitudinal incision in the inner 
side of each hemisphere (Fig. 136) . Lay open the lateral 
ventricles and expose the choroid plexus, caudate nucleus, 
and hippocampus. The next incision is made downward 







Fig. 136. — The hemispheres of the cerebrum are slightly spread apart and two longi- 
tudinal incisions made through the corpus callosum into the lateral ventricles. A longitudinal 
median incision is made through the cerebellum into the fourth ventricle. The olfactory bulbs 
are incised laterally. 

on the median line between the hemispheres of the cere- 
brum and thi'ough the centre of the cerebellum, dividing the 
entire brain in halves. After examination of these struc- 
tures in cross section, make transverse incisions a quarter 
of an inch apart through each hemisphere of the cerebrum, 
and inspect the cut surfaces (Fig. 137). 



TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 211 

Spinal Cokd and JNIeninges. — The cord is laid upon 
the table dorsal surface upward and the meninges incised 
with a sharp-pointed scissors along the entire length of the 
structure. Transverse incisions a quarter of an inch apart 




Choroid plexus of 
fourth veatricle 

Fourth ventricle 
Cerebellum 



Corpora 
quadrigemina 

Pineal body 

Hippocampus 

Choroid plexus of 
lateral ventricle 

Caudate nucleus 



Fig. 137. — The lateral and fourth ventricles opened, corpus callosum and septum pellucidum 
removed and hemispheres of cerebrum incised. 

are made through the cord from the anterior to the pos- 
terior end and the cross sections examined (Fig. 138). 

Eye. — After enucleation of the eye grasp that organ 
between the thumb and first finger. Place the thumb in 
the cornea opposite the pupil and the finger over the stump 
of the optic nerve (Fig. 139). With a sharp-pointed 
scissors cut through the wall of the eyeball, following the 



212 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 




TECHNIC AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANS 



213 



equator (Fig. 140). Next remove tlie lens and, with the 
organ thus prepared, the several internal structures may 
be examined. 

Ear. — When parts of the 
tympanic and petrous portion 
of the temporal bone have been 
removed, the oblong piece of 
bone should be placed upon a 
solid block of wood so that the 
external auditory meatus 
appears upward. Have an 
assistant hold the bone in place 
with a strong iron pinchers. 
Place the cutting edge of a 
chisel over the external auditory 
meatus and strike sharply upon 

the head of the chisel. This process will sever the bone in 
such manner as to expose the several parts of the middle and 




Fig. 139. — Position of hands, scissors, 
and eye in opening the latter on its 
equator. 





Fig. 140. — Equatorial line of in- 
cision for opening the eye. Stump 
of optic nerve and cornea over the 
pupil used as poles. 



Fig. 141.^Membrana tympani 
and manubrium of malleus after 
splitting the petrous temporal 
bone. 



internal ear. The drum and the ossicles may be removed 
with forceps, needle, scissors and scalpel (Fig. 141). 



CHAPTER XI 
POST-MORTEM PROTOCOL AND REPORT 

Definition. — A post-mortem protocol is a detailed 
written description of the post-mortem findings. It may be 
entered as a permanent record in a book kept for that 
purpose, loose leaf or card index systems, or prepared as 
a communication suitable for mailing. In the latter case it 
should be headed as a letter and have the autopsist's signa- 
ture affixed. The protocol should consist of five parts, i.e., 
pre-autopsy data, external examination, internal examina- 
tion, pathologic-anatomical diagnosis and epicrisis. 

A post-mortem report is a brief extract of a protocol 
and usually consists only of the pathologic-anatomical diag- 
nosis and the cause of death, together with the clinical case 
and autopsy numbers (Fig. 142). When called upon to 
render a medicolegal post-mortem report, one should be 
very brief to prevent confusion of the jurors with a mass 
of technical terms, yet one must be very thoroughly pre- 
pared on every angle of the case at hand and permit the 
detailed information to be drawn out through interrogation 
by the lawyers. One should state that he had made an 
autopsy on the cadaver of a certain animal, giving its 
description and the owner's name, and found death to be 
due to a certain condition, as, for example, shock and 
intoxication following rupture of the stomach. 

pRE-AUTOPSY Data. — This should include all infor- 
mation that may in any way pertain to the autopsy. The 
ante-mortem changes or clinical aspect, mode of termina- 
tion, happenings between the time of death and the time 

214 



POST-MORTEM PROTOCOL AND REPORT 



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216 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

of autopsy, description of cadaver, time, place, date, 
weather, and position of cadaver at the time of death and 
at the time of autopsy, are necessary to facihtate judgment 
of conditions which may be found post mortem, as well as 
the name and address of every one who may be in any way 
connected with the necropsy, as it may be necessary to 
communicate with one or all of them after the examination. 

External Examination. — An examination of the 
cadaver's exterior is made before any part is incised. It 
consists of close inspection of the natural openings, visible 
mucous membranes, extremities and skin for signs of death, 
post-mortem decomposition or pathologic conditions which 
may serve as a guide to internal morbid processes. 

Internal Examination. — The internal examination 
consists of a careful description of each organ or part in 
terms that can be readily understood by those who are not 
veterinarians. The description should include considera- 
tion of the position, size, weight, shape, color, odor, con- 
sistency, incision, incision fluid, contents and cut surface 
of the various structures. One should avoid use of the word 
normal as two men might not agree on that which is normal 
and abnormal. He should not attempt to describe by volun- 
teering his opinion of the process under consideration as in 
the use of such terms as hemorrhagic, degenerated, in- 
flamed, pneumonic, necrotic, etc. They are diagnostic, not 
desdiptive, and do not constitute exact pathologic data 
except in proportion to the efficiency of the autopsist as a 
pathologist. Use of the descriptive factors, position, size, 
weight, shape, color, odor, consistency incision, incision 
fluid, contents and cut surface, however, creates a word 
picture from which another pathologist may diagnose the 
condition without knowing the opinion of the autopsist. 



POST-MORTEM PROTOCOL AND REPORT 217 

This practice makes one a keen observer, while the use of 
the word normal causes one to become careless and to slight 

o 

the work. One cannot apply all the factors of description 
to every structure, but in describing such parts one should 
consider them and select those most suitable. The internal 
examination should include a description, not only of the 
thoracic and abdominal organs, but all those structures 
under the skin which cannot be examined externally or 
without incising the integument. 

PATHOLOGIC-ANATOMICiVL DIAGNOSIS. The patho- 

logic-anatomical diagnosis should consist of a summary 
of the descriptions of the external and internal examina- 
tions arranged in list form and composed of specific diag- 
nostic terms. These diagnoses of the pathology of each 
anatomic part should follow in the same order in which the 
organs were described. Thus, having finished the de- 
tailed descriptions, one reviews that of the first organ 
or part and determines whether it be intact or diseased. 
If normal nothing is placed in the pathologic-anatomical 
diagnosis ; if a morbid process be present the proper diag- 
nostic term which signifies that pathologic condition, as 
acute catarrhal rhinitis, is placed on the first line of the 
pathologic-anatomical diagnosis at the left hand mar- 
gin. Then the next organ described is considered and the 
proper diagnostic term is placed on the second line at the 
left margin immediately below the first pathologic-anatomi- 
cal diagnosis, and so on until the summary, free from de- 
scriptive or explanatory terms, is complete and arranged 
as a concise list of all the morbid processes present. 

Epicrisis. — Up to the present point the post-mortem 
protocol is a chronicled statement of facts as free as pos- 
sible from the element of personal equation. The epicrisis 



218 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

is the autopsist's personal written opinion of the entire case. 
In paragraph form he states his opinion as to the primary 
lesion, its cause and development, the secondary and ter- 
tiary lesions and their occm-rence and relationship to the 
primary lesion, and the entire animal economy. The epi- 
crisis is in fact the autopsist's idea of the pathogenesis of .the 
case and the cause of death, together with a statement con- 
cerning the importance of certain possibly co-existing 
lesions which have little or no relation to that chain of lesions 
which led to the animal's death. 

Advantage of Construction. — This construction en- 
ables the recipient of the protocol or examiner of the post- 
mortem record to diagnose the morbid processes from the 
descriptions in the external and internal examinations. 
These he may check against those of the autopsist as found 
in the pathologic-anatomical diagnosis. Then he may again 
check the autopsist in his epicrisis. 

Suggestions on Protocol. — The following outline for 
a post-mortem protocol may be followed when writing 
autopsies in permanent bound record books. It may be 
printed on loose leaves as a form to be filled in and filed in 
a loose leaf system. It may also be printed on the left 
hand margin of as many fairly wide sheets as necessary 
in order to leave one or more empty lines after each head 
and subhead. These sheets may be fastened together, form- 
ing a booklet containing a complete post-mortem protocol 
outline, which should be used by students in special 
pathology. 



POST-MORTEM PROTOCOL AND REPORT 219 



Dear Sir: 

I have the honor to submit the following post-mortem protocol. 

Pre-autopsy Data 



Autopsy: Tag No 

Authority Clinic No 

Autopsist Clinical History: 

Assistant Clinical Diagnosis: 

Witnesses Treatment: 

Time Mode of Death : 



Place 

Date 

Position of cadaver . . . 

Weather 

Autopsy No 

Owner: 

Name 

Address 

Description of Animal: 

Species 

Breed 

Sex 

Age 

Color 

Markings 

Size 

Weight 



If died: 

Time 

Place 

Date 

Description of agonal stage. 

Position after death 

Weather 

If destroved: 



Authority . . . . 
Destroyer . . . . 
Witnesses . . . . 

Method 

Time 

Place 

Date 

Position before 
Position after . 



220 



VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 



External Examination 

Natural openings Skin in general . 

Visible mucous membranes Skin in region of 



Eyes 

Condition of nutrition 

Rigor mortis 

Abdomen 

Mammary gland 

Legs 

Feet 

Hair 



Head . . . 
Neck . . . 
Thorax . . 
Abdomen 
Back . . , 
Legs . . , 
Tail . . . . 



Internal Examination 



Abdominal cavity: 

Foreign matter 

Position of diaphragm 
Position of organs . . . 



Thoracic cavity : 

Foreign matter . . . 
Position of organs 



Respiratory System 

Nasal passages: Lungs: 

Sinuses Weight 

Septum Shape 

Turbinated bones Color 

Ethmoidal cells Consistency 

Lachrymal duct Odor 

Mucous membranes Incision 

Guttural pouches Contents 

Pharynx Incision fluid 

Larynx Cut surface 

Trachea Pleura 

Bronchi Mediastinum 

Lungs: Bronchial lymph-glands . 

Position Mediastinal lymph-glands 

Size : Diaphragm 

Inspiration 

Expiration 



POST-MORTEM PROTOCOL AND REPORT 



221 



Blood-vascular System 

Pericardium Iliac arteries 

Pericardial fluid Anterior mesenteric arteries 



Heart : 



Other arteries 



Position Vena cava and branches 



Size . . 
Weiffht 



Blood 

Bone-marrow 



Shape Spleen ; 



Color 

Consistency 

Odor 

Contents 

Incision 

Incision fluid 

Cut surface 

Tricusjiid valves .... 
Bicuspid valves .... 
Pulmonary valves . . . 

Aortic valves 

Parietal endocardium 

Columnae carnae .... 

Aorta 



Position 

Size 

Weight , 

Shape 

Color 

Consistency 

Odor 

Incision 

Incision fluid . . . , 
Cut surface . . . . . 

Capsule 

Pulp 

Malpighian bodies 
Trabeculae 



Lymphatic System 



Receptaculum chyli 

Thoracic duct 

Other lymph-vessels 

Organ lymph-glands usually dt 

scribed with organs : 
Lymph-glands : 

Submaxillar 3?^ 

Subparotid 

Retropharyngeal 

Atlantal 

Anterior cervical 

Middle cervical 



Lymph-glands : 

Superficial cervical or prescap- 

ular 

Posterior cervical or prepec- 

toral 

Intercostal 

Sternal 

Anterior mediastinal 

Brochial 

Posterior mediastinal 

Axillary 

Lumbar 



222 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

Lymph-glands : Lymph-glands : 

Renal Gastric 

Internal iliac Hepatic 

External iliac Coeliac , . 

Superficial inguinal or supra- Mesenteric 

mammary Precrural 

Ischiatic Popliteal 

Anal 

Digestive System 

Mouth : Intestines : 

Hard palate Large colon 

Soft palate Small colon 

Posterior nares Rectum 

Lips Liver : 

Cheeks Position 

Gums Size 

Teeth Weight 

Tongue Shape 

Tonsils Color 

Salivary ducts Consistency 

Salivary glands : Odor 

Parotid Incision 

Submaxillary Incision fluid 

Sublinguial Contents 

CEsophagus Cut surface 

Stomach Capsule 

Rumen Hepatic lymph-gland 

Reticulum Gall-bladder 

Omasum Bile-duct 

Abomasum Pancreas 

Intestines : Omentum 

Small intestines Mesentery 

Caecum Peritoneum 

Uro-genital System 

Kidney: Kidney: 

Position Weight 

Size Shape 



POST-MORTEM PROTOCOL AND REPORT 223 

Kidney: Uterus: 

Color - Color 

Consistency Consistency 

Odor Odor 

Incision Incision 

Incision fluid Incision fluid 

Contents Contents 

Cut surface Cotyledons 

Capsule Mucous membrane 

Cortex ,.,....... Vagina 

Intermediate zone Vulva 

Medulla Mammary gland 

pgj^^jg Supramammary lymph-gland . . . 

Perirenal fat Teats 

Renal lymph-gland Cowper's glands ' 

Ureters Prostate glands 

Urinary bladder Seminal vesicles 

Ovaries Spermatic cord • 

Fallopian tubes Inguinal canal 

Uterus: Umbilicus 

Position Testicles 

Size Scrotum 

Weight Penis 

Shape Prepuce 



Cerebrospinal System 

Brain: Brain: 

Position Incision fluid .. 

g-2,g Cut surface . . . 

Weight Various parts . . 

Shape Cerebral meninges 

Color Spinal cord 

Consistency Spinal fluid 

Odor Spinal meninges . 

Contents Peripheral nerves 

Incision 



224 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

Organs of Sight and Hearing 

Eyes : Eyes : 

Palpebrae or eyelids : Lens 

Superior Vitreous body 

Inferior Retina 

Tertia Optic papilla 

Conjunctiva Choroid coat 

Cornea Optic nerve 

Sclera 

Aqueous humor Ear: 

Iris Auricula 

Granula iridis External auditory canal 

Pupil Middle ear 

Ciliary muscles Internal ear 



Ductless Glands 

Thymus Pituitary 

Thyroid Pineal . 

Parathyroid Adrenal 



Bones, Muscles and Accessory Structures 

Subcutaneous connective tissue . . Hoof: 

Intermuscular connective tissue. . Wall , 

Muscles Periople 

Fascia Coronary band 

Tendons Horny laminae 

Burs* Fleshy laminae 

Tendon sheatha or vagina ten- Sole 

dinis Frog 

Joints Lateral cartilages 

Bones Museum specimens and numbers . 

Histologic specimens and num- 
bers 



POST-MORTEM PROTOCOL AND REPORT 225 

Pathologic-anatomical Diagnosis 

1. li. 

2. 15. 

3. 16. 
•i, 17. 

5. 18. 

6. 19. 



7. 



20. 



8. 21. 

9. 22. 

10. 23. 

11. 24. 

12. 25. 

13. 26. 



Epicrisis 



Signature. 



Literature Used 



KiTT : Pathologische Anatomic der Haustiere. 

KiTT : Die anatomische Untersiichung des Geliirns unserer Haustiere. 

Schmey: Sectionstechnik der Haustiere. 

Cattell: Post-mortem Pathology. 

Czokor: Lehrbuch der gerichtliclien Tierheilkunde. 

Dexler: Zur Praparationstechnik der Organe des Zentralnerven 

systems. 
ZscKOKKE : Sektionstechnik und Protokoll. 
Buch: Praktikum der pathologischen Anatomic 
Stoss: Anleitung zn den Sektionen und Praparierubungen an unseren 

Haustieren. 
Nauwerck: Sektionstechnik. 



226 VETERINARY POST-MORTEM TECHNIC 

Orth : Pathologisch-anatomische Diagnostik. 

Clement, A. W. : Veterinary Post-mortem Examinations. 

BussE : Das Sektions-Protokoll. 

ViRCHow: Die Seetionsteehnik im Leichenliause des Charite Kranken- 

hauses. 
Frank: Die Vornahme von Sektionen bei unseren Haustieren^ insbeson- 

dere bei Pferden. 
SissoN : Veterinary Anatomy. 

Ellenberger und Baum : Vergleichende Anatomic der Haustiere. 
Chauveau: Comparative Anatomy of the Domesticated Animals. 
Leisering und Muller: Vergleichende Anatomic der Haustiere. 
Smith, F. : A Manual of Veterinary Physiology. 
MoHLER AND EiCHiioRN : A Tcxt-Book of Meat Insj^ection by Edel- 

mann. 
Pickens: Report of the New York State Veterinary College at Cornell 

University, 1914-15. 
Martin : Lehrbuch der Anatomic der Haustiere. 
Hamilton : Text-book of Pathology, vol. i, p. 9. 
Wadsworth : Post-mortem Examinations. 



INDEX 



Abdomen of dog, 144 

summary of teclinic of horse, 

103 
technic of horse, 70 

of ruminants, 125 

of swine, 137 
Adrenals of dog, 146 

descriptive table of, 201 
of horse, left, 91 

right, 94 
of ruminants, 130 
technic of, 200 
Algor mortis, 45 
Autopsy, 1 

authority for, 5 
complete, 1 
date of, 5 
dress for, 7 
incomplete, 2 
light for, 5 
notes on, 10 
object, 2 
place for, 6 
position of cat, 142 

of dog, 142 

of horse, 52 

of ruminants, 117 

of swine, 135 
room, 1 8 
table, 18 
time for, 5 
witnesses of, 7 



Back of dog, 147 

of horse, 56 

of ruminants, 117 

of swine, 135 
Basin, 20 
Bile-duct of dog, 145 

of horse, 90 

of ruminants, 129 

of swine, 139 
Blood-vessels of horse, 101 

of ruminants, 132 
Bones, 114 

summary of technic, 115 

technic of, 114 
Brain, absolute weight, 209 

of dog, 148 

descriptive table, 209 

extirpation of, horse, 63 

relation to body weight, 209 
to cord weight, 209 

of ruminants, 123 

technic of, 209 
Bronchi, technic of, l67 

Cadaver, cooling of, 45 

descrij^tion of, 7 

external examination of, 45 
Cadaveric lividity, 46 
Caecum of horse, 92 
Chisel, Championniere's bone, 27 

cross, 29 

Esmarch's bone, 27 

McEwen's, 27 

side, 30 

227 



228 



INDEX 



Clinical history, 6 

Costotcniies, .Sf) 

Cowper's glands, technic of, 208 

Death, the eye after, 46 

signs of, 45 
Decapitation of horse, 62 

of ruminants, 122 
Decomposition, i^ost-mortem, 48 
Description of cadaver, 7 
Desk, 20 

Destruction of animal, 7 
Double colon of horse, 92 

technic of, 184 
Duodenum of horse, 91 

of swine, 139 

Ear of horse, 68 

of ruminants, 125 

technic of, 213 
Enterotome, 37 

Ejoiploic foramen of horse, 90 
External examination, 45 
Extremities, 50 
Eye of horse, 68 

after death, 46 

of ruminants, 125 

technic of, 211 

Foot, summary of technic, 113 

technic of, 110 
Foramen of Winslow of horse, 90 
Forceps, 37 

bone-cutting, 35 

bone-holding, 39 

dura, 39 

haemostatic, 39 

tumor, 39 



Frog, 112 

Front leg of horse, 70 
of ruminants, 125 

Gall-bladder of ruminants, 131 
Glass, magnifying, 44 
Gouge, Esmarch's bone, 28 
Guttural pouches of horse, 59 

Hands, care of, 9 
Head of dog, 147 

of horse, 56 

of ruminants, 117 

of swine, 135 
Heart, descriptive table, 176 

of dog, 147 

of horse, 99 

of ruminants, 131 

of swine, 140 

technic of, 170 
Hind leg of horse, 71 

of ruminants, 125 
Hook, rib, 32 

steel hammer, 31 

Tyrrell's blunt and sharp, 25 
Hypostasis, 46 

Ileo-caecal valve of swine, 139 
Incision, lateral thoracic, of dog, 
147 
lateral thoracic, of swine, 137 
pubic-lumbar, of horse, 76 
xiphoid-lumbar, of dog, 144 

of swine, 137 
xiphoid-pubic, of dog, 144 
of horse, 72 
of ruminants, 126 
of swine, 137 



INDEX 



229 



Instrument case, 20 

table, 20 
Instruments, care of, 9 

I30st-mortem, 22 
Internal examination of cat, l'i2 

of dog, 142 

of elephant, 159 

of fowl, 155 

of guinea pig, 153 

of horse, 52 

of mouse, 152 

of rabbit, 154 

of ruminants, 117 

of swine, 1.S5 
Intestines of dog, 114 

descriptive table, of dog, 192 
of horse. 18() 
of ruminants. 1 89 
of swine, 191 

ligation of, in horse, 88 

of ruminants, 128 

small, of horse, 88 

of swine, 1 37 

technie of dog, 144 
of horse, 184 
of ruminants. 188 
of swine, 188 

Joints, 1 15 

carpal. Ill 

coxofemoral, of dog, 143 
phalangeal. 1 1 S 
scapulohumeral ,111 
stifle. 111 

summary of technie. 115 
technie of. 114 
tibiotarsal. 1 1 1 



Jugidar furrow, 121 
structures, 121 
of horse, 56 

Kidney, left, of horse, 90 

right, of horse, 94 

descriptive table of, 199 

of dog, 146 

of ruminants, 130 

of swine, 140 

technie of, 197 
Knife, butcher, 23 

incising, 24 

Little's case, 24 

Monosmith's enucleation, 24 

Virchow's brain, 24 
cartilage, 22 
post-mortem, 22 

Larynx of dog, 148 

of horse, 59 

of ruminants, 122 

technie of. \66 
Leg, technie of, 110 
Ligation of intestines of horse, 88 

of ruminants, 128 
Liver, descriptive table of, 194 

of dog, 146 

of horse, 95 

of ruminants, 131 

of swine, 139 

technie of, 193 
Lungs of dog, 147 

of horse, 99 

of ruminants, 131 

of swine. 140 

technie of. 1 67 



230 



INDEX 



Lympli-glands, atlantal, 121 
anterior cervical^ 121 
axillary. 111 
bronchial, l67 
deep inguinal, 1 34 
external iliac, loi 
of horse, 102 
intercostal, 132 
internal iliac, 132 
lumbar, 132 
mediastinal, l67 
middle cervical, 121 
popliteal, 111 
posterior cervical, 122 
prepectoral, 122 
retropharyngeal, 121 
sternal, 132 
submaxillary, 119 
subparotid, 117 
superficial inguinal, 13-i 
supramammary, 1 34 

Mail, diseased tissues in, 13 
Mallet, rawhide, 33 

wood, 32 
Mammary gland of dog, 144 

of mare, 108 

of ruminants, 126 
Mandible of horse, 57 

of ruminants, 120 
Meninges, technic of, 209 
Mortopsy, 1 

Mucous membranes, visible, 49 
Muscles, 110 

psoas, of horse, 102 

summary of technic, 115 

technic of, 114 



Musculature, 114 
Myelotome, Pick's, 24 

Nasal passages of dog, 148 

of horse, 65 

of ruminants, 125 
Nasal septum of horse, 65 
Natural openings, 50 
Neck of dog, 147 

of horse, 56 

of ruminants, 117 

of swine, 135 
Necropsy, 1 
Necroscopy, 1 
Needle, harpoon, 25 

post-mortem, 44 

spearhead, 25 
Nerves, peripheral, 70 

Obduction, 1 
CEsophagus of dog, 148 

of horse, 59 

of ruminants, 122 

technic of, l67 
Omentum of dog, 144 

of horse, 86 

of ruminants, 128 
Organs, description of, l6l 

technic of, l6l 
Os innominatum, 114 
Ovaries, descriptive table of, 204 

of mare, 103 

technic of, 200 

Pancreas, descriptive table of, 196 
of dog, 146 
of horse, 95 



INDEX 



231 



Pancreas of ruminants, 131 

technic of, 195 
Parathyroid glands, technic of, l67 
Pelvic organs of horse, 109 
Pelvis of dog, 146 

of ruminants, 131 

summary technic of horse, 110 

of swine, 1 10 

technic of horse, 108 
Penis of dog, 146 

of horse, 108 

of ruminants, 126 

technic of, 20 cS 
Pericardial fluid of horse, 95 

measurement of, l69 

of ruminants, 131 

sac of horse, 9<'5 

of ruminants, 131 
technic of, l69 
Peritoneum of horse, 102 

of ruminants, 132 
Pinchers, 33 
Pipettes, 44 
Pith, 25 
Phalanges, 115 
Pleura of horse, 102 

of ruminants, 132 
Post, 1 

Postinortem, 1 
Post-mortem ax, 31 

cosmetic, 1 

decomposition, 48 

medicolegal, 1 

protocol, 214 

report, 214 
Prostate glands, technic of, 208 



Rachiotome, Brunnetti's, 30 

Dexler's, 30 
Raspatory, 25 
Refuse cans, 21 
Regulations, express comijany's, 12 

mailing and parcel post, 12 
Ribs, 115 

of horse, 82 

of ruminants, 127 
Rigor mortis, 47 
Rule, 44 

Salivary glands, parotid, of cow, 
117 
of horse, 57 
submaxillary, of cow, 1 1 9 
of horse, 57 
Saw, 41 

Charriere's, 42 

Kelly's skull, 43 

Langenbeck's blade, 42 

large blade, 41 

rachiotomy, 43 

small frame, 42 
Scale, 21 

Scalpel, dissecting, 24 
Scissors, artery, 37 

small, 37 
Sclerostomura bidentatum, QS 
Sectioanatomica, 1 
Sectiocadaveris, 1 
Section, 1 

Seminal vesicles, technic of, 208 
Shears, cartilage, 37 
Shelves, 20 
Signa mortis, 15 
Single colon of horse, 86 



232 



INDEX 



Sinuses of horse, 65 
Skin. 51 

of cat, 142 

of dog, 1 12 

of horse, 54 

of ruminants, 117 
Specimens, anthrax, 15 

blackleg, l6 

bacterial dysentery, 17 

blood, 15 

feces, 1 5 

glanders, 17 

hemorrhagic septicemia, 16 

hog cholera, 16 

infections abortion, 17 

malignant edema, 16 

milk, 14 

packing, 11 

parasites, 15 

poultry, 17 

pus, 14 

rabies, 17 

shipping of, 1 1 

of small animals, 17 

swine erysipelas. l6 

swine plague, Ki 

tetanus, l6 

tuberculosis, 16 

urine, 14 
Spinal cord of dog, 148 
of horse, 68 
technic of, 212 
Spleen, descriptive table of, 1 79 

of dog, 146 

of horse, 90 

measurement of, 177 

of ruminants. 1.10 



Spleen of swine, 139 

technic of, 177 
Sole, 112 

Steel, butcher's, 25 
Sterilizer, 21 
Sternum of dog, 147 
Stomach, descrijotive table of, 182 

of dog, 146 

of horse, 94 

of ruminants, 130 

of swine, 1 39 

technic of, 180 

Teeth of horse, 68 

Tendons, 11-1 

Testicles, descriptive table of, 209 

technic of, 208 
Thorax of dog, 147 

summary, technic of horse, 
103 

technic of horse, 80 

puncture of, 80 

of ruminants, 125 

of swine, 137 

vacuity of, in horse, 80 
Thyroid glands of dog, 147 
of horse, 56 
of ruminants, 117 
technic of, l67 
Tongue of dog, 148 

of horse, 59 

of ruminants, 122 

technic of, l66 
Tonsils of dog, 148 

of ruminants. 121 

technic of. 166 



INDEX 



233 



Trachea of dog, 148 

of horse, 59 

of ruminants, 122 

technic of, 166 
Tub, 20 

Uddt-r, technic of, 201 
Urinary bladder, technic of, 208 
Uterus, descriptive table of, 203 

of mare, 103 

technic of, 200 



Vacuity of tliorax of ruminants, 
. 127 

Vagina, technic of, 200 
Valves, aortic semilunar, 175 

bicuspid, 171 

hydrostatic tests of. 177 

pulmonary semilunar, 173 

tricuspid, 171 
Vise, 21 

Wall, 113 

Weather during autopsy, 5 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



002 827 1 



61 A 



